MTV to Bring Back House of Style!

Oh, how I loved House of Style back in the olden days. Cindy Crawford, who hosted the MTV show about the fashion biz for the first six years of its eleven year run, was the greatest. Articulate, fun, and gorge. I also fondly remember 'Todd Time,' the spot each episode when Todd Oldham would show you how to do a quick and easy DIY apparel or home decor trick, like how to paint a lampshade or how to perfectly paint-splatter your jeans or something like that. I cannot tell a lie, I bought a brightly-striped Todd Oldham bedspread set at Target in the late 1990s because I loved him so. Don't judge!

Anyhoo, according to Page Six, MTV is going to revive House of Style and are currently in the process of sorting out who the new host will be. Names of many famous models (but not Cindy)are flying all over the place but since this is not a gossip site I am not going to repeat anything.

Click here to check out an awesome snippet from a 1992 episode of House of Style where you can view Cindy in Paris interviewing Jean Paul Gaultier and a day in the life of Linda Evangelista, with a cameo from Steven Meisel.

In the Elevator at Barneys

I see you there reclining in those Louboutins, Coco!

2009 Best Costume Nominations

Those who read this website know that I am not gifted at predicting things. I can never, ever guess who will win Top Model, or The Super Bowl, or even re-runs of Double Dare.

However! There is one thing I have found, over time, that I actually don't completely fail at: predicting who will win the Costume Design Oscar at the Academy Awards. I've been four for four since I started actually keeping track. Let's see what the Academy nominated this year and commence with the sooth-saying.

Australia!

Catherine Martin previously won for her ah-mazing work in another Baz Luhrmann collaboration, Moulin Rouge. Fun fact: Catherine and Baz are husband and wife.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button!

These costumes were designed by Jacqueline West, whose work in Quills way back when was also nominated but did not gain her a little gold statue.

The Duchess!

Costumed by Michael O'Connor. This is his first nomination.

Milk!

Costumed by first-time nominee Danny Glicker.

Revolutionary Road!

Albert Wolsky was the designer for this film, and get ready because his previous Oscar-related list is a long one. Wolsky was nominated for his work in Across The Universe, Toys, The Journey of Natty Gann and Sophie's Choice. Wolsky has already won twice, but it was a while back : in 1991 for Bugsy and in 1979 for All That Jazz.

I will admit, I have only seen one of these nominated films. That would be Milk, which I think is the least likely to win. Awesome movie, and the costumes were spot-on, but I really doubt it will take home Oscar gold. Films that are set in the last fifty years or so never seems to impress the Academy enough to give them the win. I can think of Dreamgirls, Across the Universe, The Queen, Ray, Atonement, and The Devil Wears Prada as examples from recent years. It is also for this reason that I think Revolutionary Road is out as well.

But you know what the Academy seems to love, as far as Oscars for Best Costume go? A good old fashioned bodice ripper. If your movie contains corsets and yards and yards of fabric, you are almost automatically a major contender. I find that most of the time, a Best Costume nod goes to a frilly period piece that either peetered out at the box office (think Memoirs of a Geisha, Marie Antoinette, and Elizabeth: The Golden Age) or is part of a huge juggernaut that ends up sweeping the night. For recent examples of this, harken back to Gladiator, Titanic, and The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King.

Going further back in time, I see past recent winners also include Moulin Rouge, Dracula, The Age of Innocence, Restoration, Shakespeare in Love, and Topsy-Turvey. Every once in a while the bodice-ripper rule is broken (The Aviator, Chicago) but more often than not I think people see complex, intricate clothing embellished in feathers and jewels and chuck that Oscar at them like it was a hot potato covered in the bird flu virus.

That is all a long, windy way of saying that if the Academy continues its bodice-ripper streak, The Duchess is the one to beat. And if it does get beat, The Curious Case of the Old Baby (or whatever it's called, I have yet to see it) would be the one to do so. Major major upset would be Revolutionary Road.

Don't Stop, Get It Get It

Shirtdress - Piazza Sempione
Sweater - Theory
Pants - Helmut Lang
Shoes - Christian Louboutin

Spring Awakening

I know I'm jumping the gun with talking about spring this early in the year. I am fortunate enough to live in a location with a mild climate that recently has felt like being sunny and pleasant most days. It inspired me to redecorate my kitchen and post photos of the results.

View of the sitting area.

Framed magazine photo of the Kennedys found at an antique store. Olive wood fruit bowl handmade by my brother-in-law.

My collection of vintage horse show ribbons (all from the Bay Area from the 1950s and early 1960s) continues to blossom.

Chairs from West Elm, table from Ikea.

Kitchen Aid tea kettle, Missoni Home hand towel.

All vintage vases, with the exception of the Jonathan Adler "Dolls" jar.

View of the corner opposite the sitting area.

Vintage canisters (that I actually do keep ingredients in) handed down from my mom.

Kloss radio, thrifted whale salt and pepper shakers. The painting is an Amy Sacksteder, from her Dancing Trees series.

Hump Day

Sweaters - H&M

Pants - Yves Saint Laurent

Necklace - vintage

Shoes - Jimmy Choo

Birthday Babe

Lovely. Lithe. Lily. Happy twenty-second birthday to the willowy English rose known as Lily Donaldson.


Lily brings it so amazingly well, and I hope this new year brings her much success.

The Perks of Being a Pancake

After work I threw on a couple sweatshirts and went for a jog. My quick workout included some hills as well as some stair running. When I got home and de-layered I realized that I had being going about my business with no bra whatsoever. AND I NEVER NOTICED.

San Francisco's Edwardian Ball

Being a fan of pagaentry and costume, I was very intrigued by the Edwardian Ball that is happening here in town this weekend. A friend gave me the scoop on it but I already had made other plans so I guess I will have to wait until next year.

At functions like that I just like to plunk myself down and people-watch (except for those nineties parties, where I pretty much dance the whole time). But really, how fun would it be to get all dressed up and enjoy all the time and effort others have put into their costumes?

The Edwardian period (1901 -1910 or thereabouts) was an amazing time for fashion, the arts, and literature. The womens' suffrage movement was in full swing in the UK and United States as well. I immediately think of the My Fair Lady and Mary Poppins films for visual inspiration.

At first I thought, well, if I were to go it would be kind of expensive to come up with a suitable outfit until I realized that everything I needed, I already had. I just had to be creative with how I wore it. I'm not a secret goth or steampunk enthusiast - everything really did come from my own closet, and I'm pretty pleased with the results. Just hand me a teeny straw boater with a black ribbon to place at an angle atop my head and I'd be off to the races. Marc Jacobs S/S 2009 much? I kid. Well, not really.

People had iPhones in 1910, right?

Cokes are in the Icebox, Popcorn's on the Table

Shirt - American Apparel
Vest - H&M
Jeans - Earnest Sewn
Belt - Missoni
Necklace - vintage
Shoes - Jimmy Choo

From the Mouth of Coco Rocha

The universe's favorite auburn-haired ferosh Canadian has her very own blog. And yeah, it really is her. Click here to check it out.

Sloucher

Cardigan - Trovata
V-neck sweater - H&M
Pants - Emanuel Ungaro
Shoes - Jimmy Choo

The Bracelet!

My favorite part of this cover?

By Mr. Marc Jacobs. (The dress is from Marc, too)

Color Your World...and Your Hangisis

The shoe I yapped about almost ad nauseum last year is creeping back into my collective conscience. I was at Barneys last week and lo and behold, Manolo Blahnik's Hangisi (aka Something Blue) is dipping its crystal-studded toe into other ends of the color spectrum.

Now there is black...

...as well as yellow, which I really like.

Still 105mm, still satin, still about $900.

Images via Shoe Daydreams

Is That Choo?

It's pretty much unanimous that Michelle rocked her Isabel Toledo yesterday, but what I would emphatically get behind are her Jimmy Choos. They are from Choo's Fall 2008 season and the name of the shoe is 'Glacier.' What I like most about these heels are their color. It's practically seasonless, and one could wear them year-round, which is always a plus in my book.

Photo via Reuters via Bryanboy

Fruitless

It was silly of me to curl my hair this morning since we are scheduled to receive a bit of rain. My hair never holds curl for more than a couple of hours anyway. Hopefully the effort was not entirely fruitless.

Dress - Marni
Necklace - H&M
Tights - DKNY
Booties - Manolo Blahnik

Choices.

My hair stylist Natasha says that my natural hair color is a great "base" for any number of coloring adventures, which I guess is a polite way of saying that it is so bland and devoid of personality that there is no place to go but up. Blonde is safe. I know it works on me, because I've had it before.


But there is something so intriguing about giving red a try. My locks have been naturally basking in their dried-out-jar-of-peanut-butter hue for so long I'm not so convinced. It makes me a little nervous. But shouldn't you always do one thing each day that scares you?

Bundled Up

Sweater- Vince
Blouse - Tory Burch
Pants - Helmut Lang
Shoes - Lanvin

Paparazzied!

On Saturday I was walking down the street in Hayes Valley and these two girls snapped my picture for their street style blog, The Fashionphiles. Click here to see me and my crooked-ass smile.

Silk Road

Sweater - H&M
Scarf - H&M
Jeans - Stella McCartney
Shoes - Lanvin

Birthday Babe

Happy 35th birthday to Kate Moss.

Red Velvet

Sweater - Vince
Dress - Marc Jacobs
Belt - vintage
Tights - DKNY
Shoes - Christian Louboutin

Just in Time for the Inauguration

A Cuffington reader sent me this one-sentence-long yet hilarious story:

"A week ago I was standing in line to get a hot dog when someone else waiting next to me pointed at my t-shirt and said 'Oh! Is that the Presidential Seal?' And I was like, uh, no?"

Peanut Brittle

Top - vintage

Skirt - Banana Republic

Necklace -Marc by Marc Jacobs

Shoes - Christian Louboutin

Ms. Spinach Was Right

And now my collection of whale-themed knick-knackery is growing even larger. Behold: salt and pepper shakers for $2.25.

A long time ago I read a little tip on Fashion is Spinach that I have always taken to heart: Tuesday is the best day to frequent a thrift store. It probably has something to do with the staff having enough time to put out all the goodies collected over the weekend. Either way, Ms. Spinach knows her stuff.

Wrapped Up

Sweater - Vince
Blouse - See by Chloe
Pants - Helmut Lang
Shoes - Missoni

Springy Shoes

Chalk it up to the fact that it is supposed to be in the upper 60s throughout the week, but my mind is completely in the land of warm breezes and sunny skies. I am also very much in love with these offerings below.

A soft patent oxford from Jil Sander. This one also comes in a super light, almost-white gray, which I adore.


A fun sandal from Stella McCartney.

Heat Wave

It is going to be unseasonably warm here this week. Why not punch things up with some fuschia?

Cardigan - Theory
V-neck Sweater - H&M
Pants - Helmut Lang
Necklace - H&M
Shoes - Christian Louboutin

Gucci + Lily Donaldson = True Love

Oh brother. What am I doing looking at Gucci spring 09 stuff? It all started when I fell in love with their ad campaign whilst browsing the pages of the February glossies. This campaign stars Lily Donaldson and Natasha Poly and is once again photographed by Inez & Vinoodh.


I have no business looking at this stuff. Well, maybe for aspirational purposes. I love a safari romper with gold chains, even if technically Lily's outfit is two pieces. But! Did you see these shots from the runway show?

I really, really love Lily's pants.

Anja's dress is kind of blowing my mind as well. Again, in a perfect world that dress would be a romper. And super-affordable. A girl can dream.

Isn't It Funny

...how simply changing the shoes you wear can totally change the vibe of an outfit?


I feel like a cross between Ellen Degeneres and a guest on Sesame Street. This will take some getting used to.

Sweater- Development by Erica Davies
Shirtdress - Piazza Sempione
Jeans - J Brand
Shoes - Converse

Pearly Whites

In yesterday's Vans vs. Chucks battle of death, the latter has won out. As much as I would have loved some Louboutin for Rodarte heels instead, something casual and flat was in order.


Soon I will be scrubbing them clean with an old toothbrush dipped in GoJo at the first signs of scuffing, just like I did in high school. Haha.

No.

I just really, really don't understand why people do this. It makes me want to slap them across the face with a 2.55 bag.


And since we're dealing in the fame-whory non-reality of reality television, this attempt at something high-class falls especially flat. Unless she's being ironic, which I doubt.

Parochial

I feel so restrained and minimalist when I wear this dress. I could have been an extra in Doubt. Couldn't you see me hanging out with Sister James, feeding breadcrumbs to pigeons?

Dress - Jil Sander
Tights - DKNY
Shoes - Christian Louboutin

Chucks vs. Vans

I loathe to wear sneakers at any time other than when I am exercising. It's just really not my thing. As a certain stylist once said about donning trainers for every day wear: "When I wear sneakers I become 'cute.' I don't want to be cute. I'd rather light myself on fire."

My Topsiders - as close to sneakers as one can get without technically being sneakers - are on their last legs and because I thrifted them they had one foot in the grave to begin with. So the search for what ultimately is a sneaker began and ended for me, because I figured out immediately what I need. I'd like something simple, low to the ground, and white.

I've owned exactly one pair of Converse and one pair of slip-on Vans in my life. Each lasted for the same amount of time, and each were equally comfortable, in my opinion. I browsed a shoe store this weekend that carries them both, and after getting over the sticker shock (almost double of how much they used to cost, she says as she waves her cane and Wilson Phillips tapes), I learned that each are priced for exactly the same amount.

I'm kind of up in the air as to which one will come home with me, however I am leaning in a certain direction. I'd be wearing these shoes with skinny dark jeans and skinny black or gray trousers. If there is anything you feel I should know, now is the time to speak up.

No Jacket Required

Blouse - Tory Burch
Pants - Helmut Lang
Shoes - Jimmy Choo

Time-Capsuled Fashion from a Safe Distance

90s parties are the new 80s parties. This is what I have determined.

Here in SF there is a once a month or so party called Debaser that occurs at The Knockout on Saturdays. Debaser, so I was informed, is all about dancing to 1990s music, and dressing the part from a decade that we said goodbye to ten years ago. Show of hands: who else just felt totally decrepit after reading that sentence? Mmm-hmm.

I had just a few hours to plan my outfit and was determined to cull every piece from what I already had in my wardrobe. It worked for the most part. Although my dream outfit would have been a matchy-matchy skirt suit, thigh highs, and a hat a la Cher in Clueless, I decided to channel RayAnn Graff and go the flannel and slipdress route instead. I parted my hair down the middle and pulled it back in two little buns, and the choker was fashioned from cutting the top off of one of my thigh highs. My friend slipped a black spaghetti strap tank top over a white t-shirt, and off we went to The Knockout.

It was, in some ways, a very surreal evening. Here I was in a room full of strangers, the Christmas lights twinkling, the Jesus Lizard concert shirts and flannel a-blazin,' dancing to the same music that, fifteen years ago, we swayed awkwardly to or listened to alone in our bedrooms. Now here we all were again, this time dressing in costume, holding everything at arm's length, having way more fun as adults, reveling to the exact same songs that we originally sat around hating life to. When we originally heard all this music, were we ever this excited? Did any junior high or high school dance in the nineties ever consist of every member of the student body giving each other whirly grins, sweating profusley and not caring how they looked and dancing as close as they pleased? The irony was being piled on thick, but in the nineties, wasn't irony the name of the game?

All that aside, there's something to be said about screaming the lyrics to "Spiderwebs" into the face of a total stranger as she screams them all right back to you, and pogo-ing so much that your knees are sore the next day.

Photos via Chris Brennan