Savoir-Faire: A Guide to Living with Style and Grace

Best of the Fall 2010 Collections

 

Yesterday marked the end of New York fashion week for the Fall 2010 collections.  It was an amazing week, with talented designers offering some of the most cohesive, beautiful, wearable collections I've ever seen.  They showed a lot of rich fabrics and textures, like velvet, fur, and leather, with lots and lots of layering.  Monochromatic looks and prints were both very popular, as well as long hemlines for dresses and skirts, which I love, and the current military trend is still very much present.  Pants of all styles, particularly high-waisted and wide-legged trousers, are still important, and we also saw a lot of sheer fabrics - one of my favorite trends of the season.  Here are some highlights from my favorite shows...

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xx Ally

Manners

A formal dinner on the set of "Madmen." Photo from interiordesign.net. 

'What do you think of modern civilization?' 'I think it would be a good idea.' -Mahatma Ghandi

I have been traveling a lot lately, and have another trip coming up this weekend.  While I can't wait to get where I'm going, I'm already dreading dealing with some of the characters that airports seem to attract.

Many people these days have forgotten their manners.  Some knowingly act outrageous, while others are simply ignorant (I will admit that I am not always sure of what is appropriate - see my post on Wedding Etiquette, for example).  For the former group, there is not much we can do.  They will likely continue to behave like spoiled reality TV stars and ruin commercial airline travel for the rest of us.  For the latter, however, a basic etiquette lesson could help.   

A dear friend of mine gave me a wonderful book for Christmas entitled "A-Z of Modern Manners."  I recommend it to all of you.  It is a relevant and witty guide to etiquette, covering every subject from airplane travel to PDA to how to eat kumquats.  Etiquette books make very chic gifts and are also fun to collect.  You can buy "A-Z of Modern Manners" on Amazon.com.  

Maybe we should start handing out copies at airport security lines.

xx Ally

The Fashion World Mourns the Death of Alexander McQueen

 

Above, Alexander McQueen dress.  Photo from The Outnet. 

Alexander McQueen, one of the best designers of our lifetime, tragically died this morning, one week before London Fashion Week.  McQueen was known for making his own rules, and producing amazing avant-garde pieces season after season.  Pay a personal tribute to him today by buying one of his amazing pieces.  Here are some things that are currently available online... 

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You're Invited: New York Fashion Week

 

Above, Alexander Wang's Fall 2009 Collection.  Photo from Style.com. 

Last February, I attended the Alexander Wang Fall 2009 show at the Roseland Ballroom.  When the lights went out and a spotlight came on, Natasha Poly stomped out in a chic black ensemble to Guns and Roses's "Welcome to the Jungle" and I literally got chills.  Alex's shows are such an event, and are very highly anticipated every season.  And this year, you don't need a ticket to see it.

In the coming week, Marc Jacobs, Alexander Wang, and Rodarte fashion shows will all be streaming live.  Alexander Wang and Rodarte will be on Nick Knight's popular website SHOWtudio and Marc Jacobs will be on his website.

Alexander Wang - Saturday, February 13th at 5pm EST, SHOWstudio

Rodarte - Tuesday, February 16th at 12pm EST, SHOWstudio

Marc Jacobs - Monday, February 15th at 8pm EST, Marc Jacobs website

So pour yourself a glass of wine, sit back, and enjoy! These shows are guaranteed to be great.

xx Ally

Valentine's Day

  

  

Above, 3.1 Phillip Lim lingerie, available at Net-A-Porter.

Valentine's Day is quickly approaching (February 14th is this Sunday).  While I certainly encourage you to be original in your gift-giving, many of the classics work too, because let's face it - men are pretty simple creatures when it comes to making them happy.  Here is a list of gift ideas, from budget-friendly and simple to over-the-top and extreme...

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Making Corporate America Stylish

 

Above look from YSL's Pre-Fall 2010 Collection.  Photo from Style.com. 

I have many friends in the corporate and finance world who must adhere to a strict dress code everyday.  Many people think that this means you have to wear the same boring, frumpy suit day in and day out, with no room for personal expression or style.  It's exhausting seeing all those people who look the same! You can please yourself as well as your boss if you just pick chicer pieces - you will look better, feel more confident, and probably work better and get noticed more too.

Suits are back, in silk and updated silhouettes (slimmer pants, longer blazers), like the Tory Burch suit below.  Diane von Furstenberg also has great short-suit options if you're allowed to wear shorts in your office - if not, the blazers alone are great.  Skinny wool pants and a tux blazer look a lot cuter than that first suit you bought in college for job interviews, and a stack of fun bangles or a chunky necklace says that while you take yourself seriously, you also have a personality.  I have heard of girls getting scolded for not sticking to their company's desired "palette", so I am focusing here on very simple, chic pieces (if something doesn't fit, make sure you take it to your tailor).  Here are some of my top picks for styling your corporate wardrobe...

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