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FASHION ‘BIZ’
THE SPIRITED SOPHISTICATION OF FALL by Biz Ruby, Fashion Consultant
In my world, and in many of yours I’m betting, fall is all about one thing; fashion. And believe me, this year our favorite season does not disappoint. The fall 2011 collections are an incredibly compelling mix of pulled toadeleredingphotography.com gether, grown-up, fabulously female looks that will instantly ramp up the femininity factor in all of us. The era of anything goes dressing for any age group is over and designers trumpeted that message loud and clear…it’s time to dress like the stylish grown-ups we are. It’s fashion as age-appropriate, head-turning chic, not starlet-of-the-moment Hollywood dress up time. What you get is super-sophisticated dressing with a lot of dash and a touch of sass (Milly’s collection has it down to a science), all interpreted by intriguing new elements such as below the knee – yes, below the knee – hemlines, astonishing goddess-like silhouettes Milly (Badgley Mischka’s always-on-the-mark stunners), and bold, for-ladies-only accessories (gloves, hats, jewelry…you name it) reminiscent of decades past, yet nothing blatantly retro or dated. Below the Knee Hemlines A look that would typically be all about decorum, yet when given the panache of straight-arrow, bodyhugging tailoring executed in fabrications such as lace, pailletes, even polished to perfection tweed, it proves to be one of the most seductive and irresistible looks of the year. Rightfully so. Check out the in-your-face fierceness of Camilla & Marc’s scarlet lace dress paired with dark sheer hose and the shoe of the season, the high heel black ankle boot. “Many women may initially balk at the thought of a hemline just below the knee, however, the interpretations for fall are so utterly captivating, so sexy, it’s the trend, with a capital T,” states Katie Hobbs, Co-Owner of shoplesnouvelles.com. Capes & Ponchos Ditch the predictable go-to-for-everything coat you always wear for the outerwear piece that ups your coolness factor in a New York second, all the while keeping you cutting edge and cuddly warm. During the first week of the American fall 2011 collections, über-stylish capes and ponchos were so predominant on the run-
ways that what started as a burgeoning outerwear look turned into one of the biggest trends of New York Fashion Week. The best? ‘70s-inspired, blanket-like, decorative pieces such as ALC Drizae’s Navajo-inspired cape, shown here, paired with another ubiquitous piece for fall, the scrunchy turtleneck. Unlike its hippie-dippy predecessors, this beautifully urbane take on the cape is a sublime statement maker. Fur A fashion fixation for the ages, from fox to fake, sable to shearling, fur is a major part of this fall’s grown-up looks whether used as a luxe accent on shoulder detailing or at the neckline, as at Miu Miu and Carolina Herrera, or fullon fur sleeves and copiously cozy collars at Tory Burch. For those seeking the swagger of fur in an unconventional style, look no further than By Malene Birger’s Chamo Soft Sheep BM BTK Shearling jacket (for more visit shoplesnouvelles. com), gorgeously accentuated with black leather details and capped off with another mega trend for fall as shown here… the hat. But not just a hat, a daring, dashing individual look you can call your Tory own that literally tops off Burch everything, whether the slouch (seen everywhere), a toque, or a classic pillbox (wildly popular at Marc Jacobs). Here’s to a super, sophisticated (and sassy!) fall season.
Camilla & Marc
ALC Drizae
www.topsinlex.com
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