Fall Trends! Fabulous Forties

Maybe designers are recognizing the genius of Forties Fashion, an era where femininity was truly celebrated. Maybe designers are paying tribute to the Great Depression, as we currently face an increasingly dire economic state. But no matter the intention, there's no denying it: we're witnessing a revival of 1940's Fashion.

The glamour, the power, the elegance of the WWII era is being reborn in demure necklines, hemlines that hit just below the knee, belted waists and pencil skirts.

It's a powerful look that speaks to women in the 1940's who singlehandedly supported the household while their husbands were at war; they were sharp, feminine and in control. The key pieces? Elbow length gloves. Thin belts. Tailored Suits. Long, elegant gowns. Dramatic hats. Peplum waists. Broad shoulders. Cinched waists. Oh, and lots of fur.

Victoria Beckham in her own design.

Amy Adams in Roland Mouret

L'Wren Scott

Chris Benz

Elie Saab

Lanvin

So classy!

Here's how to make the look wearable. Invest in a thin belt to wear over sheath dresses and suits. The cinching was a staple of the classic, feminine 40's silhouette.

And embrace fall's hottest new 40's-inspired cocktail trend: peplum.

It's a single skirt layer that flares over a fitted dress or dances around the bottom of a blazer. It adds a flirty femininity to fitted looks and forms an hourglass figure by accentuating the waistline and adding to the curve of the hips.

Behnaz Sarafpour

Whitney Port

Elle Macpherson

Charlize Theron

Estelle

Piece To Buy: A peplum dress or jacket will give your wardrobe an instant update. If you have curves, the silhouette will accentuate them in the most feminine way. If you're boy-shaped, the look will create them where they didn't exist. Either way, the fit-and-flare silhouette provides a flirty, fashion-forward look that's very now.

FUR

Add a touch of forties glamour to your wardrobe this season with red-carpet inspired faux fur looks with down-to-earth price tags. Indulge in the ultimate recession luxury with the affordable fur shawls, vests and jackets below. P.S. If a fur coat, vest or shawl is too luxurious for your taste, add a small dose of drama with fur-lined purses, gloves and even boots.

Christian Lacroix

Andrew GN

Derek Lam

J. Mendel

Rihanna

Ashley Olsen

Victoria Beckham

Piece to Buy: A fur jacket or vest that's as versatile as it is affordable. Look for one that can go edgy with a tank and boyfriend jeans or full-on glamourous with a cocktail dress and stilettos.

Kisses,

Coutura

Zombie Tattoos

Cool zombie tattoos

 

 

 

Bonjour, Tristesse

"Bonjour, Tristesse," the delightful novel by Francoise Sagan (real name Francoise Quoirez) first entered my fashion radar a few years ago while reading the August 2005 issue of Vanity Fair. I always analyze their choices for the International Best Dressed List, particularly anyone who is involved in the fashion industry. Carine Roitfeld, the Editor in Chief of French Vogue, was profiled, so, of course, I paid particular attention. Inductees are asked questions such as "What is your favorite piece of couture clothing?" or "What charitable cause is most important to you?" As a response to "What is your favorite book?" Carine replied "Bonjour, Tristesse." I made a mental note at that point to read it (though, four years later, I still hadn't). The book entered my fashion radar again more recently when I was idly roaming through the features on vogue.com. A contributing Vogue stylist (also French) cited "Bonjour, Tristesse" as her favorite book. It was settled. If this was a book that was important to the fashion cognoscenti, I simply had to read it. I asked my father (the most well-read person I know) if he had read the book (of course, he had read it in both English and French), and if he could procure a copy for me. A day after a copy arrived from the library, my dad found a vintage edition for thirty-five cents.

I am so happy that I read this book! It is the tale of a young girl, Celine, and the summer that has tragic consequences for both Celine and her debonair, womanizing father, Raymond. Penned when Francoise Sagan was herself a young woman of only 18 or 19, the prose perfectly captures the attitudes and mannerisms of a young girl who is just beginning to grow into a young woman. More than a coming-of-age tale, the book illuminates what happens when the bohemian world of Celine and Raymond collides with the bourgeois world of a chic Parisienne, Anne. Two hapless lovers of Celine (Cyril) and Raymond (Elsa), respectively, unwittingly play a role in the tragedy that unfolds. The drama of "Bonjour, Tristesse" is set against the beauty and lavish splendor of the French Riviera at a time in life when both Celine and her father were prodigal libertines. One can only leave with the sense that this lifestyle will sharply change for both... or then again, will they ever change?

A film version of the book was made in 1958 with Jean Seberg as the young Cecile and David Niven as her father. For now, I can only speak of my great enthusiasm for the book, which I highly recommend to all lovers of the written word.

Fall Trends! I <3 The 80's

Hey Glamazons!!!

September's arrived replete with falling leaves, shorter days and colder weather. While I live for new fashion trends (hello sexy 80's!), it's a huge hassle to overhaul your entire wardrobe, especially when you're trying to save every penny you can. Sigh. The good news? You can dust the mothballs off your cold-weather staples and buy a few double-duty trendy pieces to transition you fashionably into Fall.

And as always, I've done the work for you and found items you can buy at your local malls and favorite websites - you love me, don't you? Keep clicking back for a series of Fall Trend posts with celebrity style, runway looks and lots of tips and tricks to make the trend work for you! After the last post, print this guide, hit the malls and watch your closet transform on a dime.

80's Baby!

The 80's are here to stay (and will be around this Spring too!). Before you are overcome with nightmares of pouffy skirts and wild hair (see SATC above), note that the new 80's remix is sharp and decidedly sophisticated this season. The 80's girl is still fun and look-at-me glamorous, but she's all grown-up now.

Shoulder Pads

Fashion goes back to the future with shoulder pads from the 80's. You have my approval to go digging through your Mom's closets for a sexy, early Madonna-inspired blouse or Micheal Jackson military jacket to rock the look.

Does it get any better than Rihanna's Balmain white lace blouse with shoulder pads?

Coats and jackets, like Kim Kardashian's, take on a commanding, powerful feel with strong shoulders this season. The key to nailing the severe silhouette without looking broad? Make sure to balance it with a nipped-in waist.

Marc Jacobs shows how to embrace the 80's strong shoulder silhouette. The narrow waist adds a much-needed dose of femininity to the strong shoulder look. Added bonus? The voluminous shoulders make your waist look even tinier.

Piece to Buy: A Michael Jackson-inspired military jacket with shoulder pads. Go for the jacket with embellishments---studs, embroidery, sequins---that really makes a statement. Compliment by pairing with basics like a white tank and black skinny's; a black jumpsuit; even a neon pink dress from summer.

I wore the military jacket with shoulder pads with a black sweater dress to a Honey Magazine party last week to rave reviews and was told it was everything by the gay guys (when they co-sign, you know you look good!). Rihanna, Kanye West, Angela Simmons and Beyonce all seem to agree.

Affordable brands, like Bebe and Topshop, are selling fab jackets this season that borrow from celeb-favorite Balmain in look and style. An even better deal? Add shoulder pads to the blazer/jacket you already own. Just make sure the fabric is strong enough to withstand the extra padding.

80's Haute Pink

Electric pink hues are this season's bright idea. But in flashy florescent shades that work with every skin tone, they're anything but pretty. Just like in my guide to summer brights, remember to pair this bold shade with neutrals like gray and black to tone down the explosion of color (unless you're Heidi Klum and can rock a head-to-toe pink suit).

Marc Jacobs delivers again with a sexy hot pink look offset with black accents.

Dolce & Gabbana showed a ruched fitted hot pink dress with shoulder pads and a narrow waist.

Heidi Klum thinks pink in a sexy suit.

Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon proves that pink is the new black.

Piece to buy: Neon blouses that mesh brilliantly with your toned-down neutral staples. They have more versatility than you think. You can wear a neon pink blouse under a gray suit at work just as easily as you can rock it with a black miniskirt and leather jacket for the club.

Acid Wash Jeans

Grab your favorite pair of acid wash jeans from 1987 because they're back and more popular than ever this season! The update? Acid wash skinny leg jeans. The look can be cropped, distressed or ripped, but always fitted.

Balmain showed an 80's redux with military jackets and sexy acid-wash jeans.

Rihanna and Beyonce rock light and dark versions of the acid wash trend. Their colored accessories pop perfectly against the faded wash.

Kim Kardashian rocks the trend in a sleek acid-wash jacket. Loves! If you really want to embrace the decade's comeback, go for an acid wash denim vest, an 80's wardrope staple.

Get the look from your fave websites and stores:

And I absolutely adore these plus-size acid-wash jeans from Torrid:

Stay tuned for more!

Kisses,

Coutura

Holiday '09 Beauty Sneak Peak: Bobbi Brown

Hi Pretties! Even though Fashion Week is over (whew!) I've still been swamped with work and my life is super hectic right now. But I'm never too busy to share the latest and greatest in beauty news with you! =)

With that said, here's a look at some of the fab new offerings for the upcoming holidays from Bobbi Brown.

Most of them are limited edition and available beginning Oct. 1, so snatch 'em up while you can!

And be sure to stay tuned for more holiday beauty goodies.

xo

Ferocia

Limited Edition Earth Metal Lip & Eye Palette, $60

Available October 2009 at Bobbi Brown counters and bobbibrown.com

Inside this chrome-accented compact, you'll find six high-shimmer eye shadows, four creamy lip colors, a mini eye shadow brush and mini lip brush.

Eye Shades

-Autumn Shimmer Wash Eye Shadow

-Earth Metal Metallic Eye Shadow

-Zinc Metallic Eye Shadow

-Black Spruce Metallic Eye Shadow

-Sunset Gold Metallic Eye Shadow

-Antique Gold Metallic Eye Shadow

Lip Shades

-Paisley Rose Creamy Lip Color

-Rose Garden Creamy Lip Color

-Rose Bud Creamy Lip Color

-Barefoot Shimmer Creamy Lip Color
Extreme Party Mascara

I was super excited to test out this new mascara from Bobbi Brown! In fact, it's so new that I don't have a price and availability for it yet (lol! don't worry, I'll post as soon as I get it). An all-day layer-able mascara, it contains a "reactivation" formula so each new coat remains as clean and buildable as the first. Keeps lashes separated and soft between coats and the tapered, two-fiber brush grabs even small hard to reach lashes. It dries fast, is smudge proof and contains Vitamins A, C and E. And the best part? After all that layering, it removes easily with eye makeup remover!

Shades: Black

Limited Edition Chrome Palette, $75

Available November 2009 at all Bobbi Brown counters and bobbibrown.com

Icy, shimmery accents for eyes and lips! Inside this fold-out palette you'll find 10 eye shadow shades, 4 lip shades, a mini eye shadow brush and a mini lip brush.

Eye Shades

-White Eye Shadow

-Polar Ice Shimmer Wash Eye Shadow

-Storm Cloud Sparkle Eye Shadow

-Iron Eye Shadow

-Thunder Metallic Eye Shadow

-Moonlight Sparkle Eye Shadow

-Cyber Grey Shimmer Wash Eye Shadow

-Foil Metallic Eye Shadow

-Chrome Metallic Eye Shadow

-Charcoal Haze Eye Shadow

Lip Shades

-Pink Mist Shimmer Lip Gloss

-Winter Bronze Glitter Lip Gloss

-Berry Glitter Lip Gloss

-Chrome Pink Shimmer Lip Gloss

Limited Edition Chrome Eye Shadow, $22

Available October 2009 at all Bobbi Brown counters and bobbibrown.com

Developed with highly reflected pearls, this formula looks like liquid metal on lids and reflects light beautifully.

Eye Shades

Silver, Gold & Pewter

Goldstone Long-Wear Eye Palette, $40

Available October 2009 at all Bobbi Brown counters and at bobbibrown.com

When Bobbi says her eyeshadows are going to last, she means it. I literally wore this from 8 a.m. to after 1 a.m. once (yeah, just a regular work day for me haha) and did not have to reapply, nor did it smudge. Created to last from dusk till dawn, this long-lasting eye look contains two shades of Long-Wear Cream Shadow, one shade of Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner and a dual-ended mini Cream Shadow/Ultra Fine Eye Liner brush.

Eye Shades

-Goldstone Metallic Long-Wear Cream Shadow

-Mineral Dust Long-Wear Cream Shadow

-Caviar Ink Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner

Limited Edition Black Plum Deluxe Beauty Trunk, $500

Available October 2009 at all Neiman Marcus Bobbi Brown counters

Um, I need this to live. THE definition of glamorous, this luxurious trunk contains multiple levels to organize beauty essentials, tools and skincare.

Paradise, also known as "The September Issue"

I have just returned from two hours spent in blessed fashion heaven. Of course, I am referring to "The September Issue," R.J. Cutler's riveting documentary about the creation of the September 2007 issue of Vogue. Though the film clocked in at just under two hours, I could spend days analyzing and discussing the minutiae of the film. So, here are just a few of my highlights and observations from the film:

- For fashion enthusiasts, The September Issue was a veritable who's who in the fashion industry with Anna, Grace Coddington, Sally Singer, Tonne Goodman, Elissa Santissi, ALT, Meredith Melling Burke, Charles Churchward, Mario Testino, Patrick Demarchelier, Jean Paul Gaultier, Thakoon, Karl Lagerfeld (!!) et al making appearances or "starring" in the film. I was a little disappointed that we didn't get to see more from my two favorite Vogue editors, Hamish Bowles (European Editor at Large) and Alexandra Kotur (Style Director). We also caught a glimpse of junior Voguettes in the background, decked out in killer heels and pushing racks and racks of clothing. Thrilling.

- Bee Shaffer. It was intriguing to see the dynamics between mother and daughter, even if Bee was slightly hypocritical and, in my opinion, completely wrong-headed in her criticism of her mother's profession. I say that she is a tad bit hypocritical when lambasting the fashion industry because she herself is a contributing editor at Teen Vogue (perhaps at the behest of Anna, much like Anna's own father thrust his profession of choice upon her?). Then again, I sort of know where Bee is coming from when she laughs at an industry that she considers silly and inconsequential. I have felt this way myself before (though, of course, not about fashion!!). So, Bee, I understand how you feel. I'm also thrilled to hear that Bee has plans to join the masses in law school, leaving an open position at Conde Nast for someone who truly wants it (me, me!).

- The inimitable Andre Leon Talley. Is there anyone else truly as fabulous on the planet as ALT? You can't help but smile every time he speaks, from his "famine of beauty" exaltation to his over-the-top descriptions of his own clothing. The highlight had to be ALT playing tennis swathed in monogrammed Louis Vuitton apparel. On anyone else, I would find this kind of logomania ersatz and pretentious. On ALT, it just marks the quotidian luxuriousness that has become his trademark.

- Power. The viewer gets a real sense of just how much influence Anna wields over the fashion industry. She hand-picked Thakoon Panichgul for the Gap partnership and, what do you know, he was chosen for it. She suggested that Oscar de la Renta cut a lackluster look from his line and he at least considered the idea. She doubted the relevance of a look and tens of thousands of dollars of work was scrapped from the magazine, much to the dismay of Grace Coddington, the mastermind behind said look. The bottom line is that Anna can make or break someone's chances in this industry.

- I completely agree with the critics who said that Grace Coddington, Vogue's spirited Creative Director, emerged as the shining star of the film. I couldn't help but tear up when Grace spoke of her immense passion for fashion. Hers is the kind of enthusiasm and perseverance that stems from utter devotion. I sometimes sense that while Anna has dollar bill signs flashing across her eyes, Grace has luminous models in diaphanous couture prancing through the Jardin des Tuileries. Fashion forever holds the allure and fantasy for her, as it does for me. My sister, who saw the film with me, remarked that I am "more of a Grace than an Anna." Yes, a hundred times yes!

- Overall, I found this documentary to be informative and exhilarating. I loved seeing my favorite editors- people whose careers I have followed for close to a decade- in their natural habitat. I can't wait to own the DVD so I can analyze it in greater depth (I would love to see the titles of the books in Sally Singer's office, so I can read them myself!).

If fashion means this much to you, as it does to me, you will not be disappointed, and, even if it does not, there is a great chance that you will be delighted.