Carol Han

As if I didn’t love Jil Sander’s Spring 2009 runway enough as it was, Raf Simons had to go ahead and add on the most amazing earrings ever. In a first-time collaboration with Italian jeweler Damiani, the designer created tribal-influenced, slightly dangerous-looking spikes that pierced through the models’ earlobes with some kind of ferocity. Taming the wild vibe a bit was the fact that beautiful little diamonds and semi-precious stones perched delicately at the tips.

I’ve never really seen jewelry quite like this—it’s fresh, atypical, a guaranteed attention-getter in this attention-starved society.

While I never dislike the Jil Sander runway, I never quite fall in love with it either. It’s always struck me as being too sterile, a bit unexciting. Until now. Flipping through today’s images from Raf Simons’ showing from this morning literally made my heart skip a beat. I don’t know if it’s end-of-work-day low blood sugar or midweek lethargy but I was somehow compelled to go through the show no less than NINE TIMES. Yes, you read that correctly. And each time, I just got more and more crazed with fashion lust. I wanted everything! Simons drew inspiration from such sources as tribal Africa, Man Ray, and the 1920s, and it made for an (obviously) captivating and interesting collection. Fringe played a key role in a majority of the looks, my favorite being the long white dress in the picture above.

I can just imagine myself running up the steps to a grand old building in New York, on my way to a gala on the arm of a handsome tuxedo-clad man, white fringe billowing out behind me. It’s rare that a collection makes me start fantasizing romantic scenarios, and this recent effort by Simons did just that. Exactly the inspiration one hopes for at the end of a long fashion-filled day.

I’ve been touting the comeback of the croptop for as long as I can remember (about three months, to be exact, which is a lifetime in fashion time). I saw it first on style icon/muse Diane Kruger a few months back, and then it showed up in a scattering of covetable runways this Spring 09 season (read: Alex Wang, Proenza Schouler, etc.). But this just solidifies things as far as I’m concerned—Miuccia Prada, doyenne of trendsetting herself, has littered her most recent collection with the barely-there pieces, and I’m loving them more than ever. This is it, folks—get ready to get fit for next spring. I suggest a steady diet of balanced meals topped off with some Physique 57 classes, pre-bedtime stomach crunches, and more than an ounce of sheer gutsiness.

But seriously—look at how adorable the look above is. It’ll be worth it. All in the name of Prada.

I have a slight obsession with perfumes. There are few things that get me as excited as shopping for a new fragrance once I’ve tired of my current one. There’s something so sensual (literally and figuratively) about discovering the perfect new scent that communicates something hidden and intangible about your personality, your life, your dreams, and desires. AND, I think it’s the sexiest thing to have a paramour actually pick out a perfume for you—it can speak volumes about the way a man views you. Example: I once had a boyfriend who eagerly presented me with a bottle of Angel, by Thierry Mugler. To me, that particular fragrance is cloyingly sweet, overwhelmingly strong, ubiquitous….common. We broke up soon after.

I know that seems a bit drastic, but I’m really into it. Obviously. The problem with this little hobby, is that it tends to literally take over my personal space. Insert picture above of my bedroom dresser. I counted no less than 19 different bottles this morning while I was musing over which one I felt like putting on today. Clearly, I should edit my selection down, but I just can’t seem to part with any of them. My current favorite is Miss Charming by Juliette Has a Gun (white bottle on far left). I had the pleasure of meeting the perfume’s creator, Romano Ricci (handsome dandy-about-town and Nina Ricci’s grandson) the last time I was in Paris, and he was just as lovely, unique, and seductive as his scent. Rose is the main note in the mix, but it gradually shifts into a clean, powdery, slightly musky, floral smell with hints of berry. In a word, it’s delicious.

Ricci actually has two fragrances in his Juliette Has a Gun line—Miss Charming and Lady Vengeance. When I asked him which he would pick for me, he said, without hesitation, “Miss Charming, of course, because you seem young, pretty, and untouched. You still have innocence.” Needless to say, I was sold.

You can buy it at luckyscent.com for $110.

What a sight for sore eyes/tired post-NY-fashion-week spirits/Wall Street financial ruin/etc/etc. Looking at Luella Bartley’s Spring 2009 collection when I got into the office this morning literally lifted my mood and made me think of prom dresses, garden parties, and cool girls with a liberal sprinkling of purposeful eccentricity. My favorite dress in the line up came towards the end on Kim Noorda in the form of the frothy one-shoulder confection pictured above.

Also, the hats! I’m obsessed. Good-bye feathered headbands, hello bow hats with veils. Love, love, love.

There’s nothing like watching already-ridiculously-thin models work out to get you in the mood to whip your own butt into shape. This is exactly the scene that awaited London Fashion Week attendees upon entering “Stella’s Gym,” a showcase to the brand new adidas by Stella McCartney collection for spring 2009. Not only were there different stations for varying types of sports, there were personal trainers on hand adding to the mix. Specifically, the brand introduced the new adidas by Stella McCartney trainer, Tracy Anderson, who works out with the likes of Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow. You can only imagine what kind of shape she’s in.

Perusing the pictures this morning made me think a number of things including, but not limited to:

1. Holy crap, I need to start working out.

2. I need that hot pink visor (see picture above).

3. Is it really possible to look that cute whilst exercising??!

4. I wonder how much Tracy Anderson costs per hour….?

One thing’s for sure: I can’t wait to get my hands on the collection come next spring. Also, maybe a gym membership. Or, you know, something like that.

In a sea of gorgeous and glittering party dresses, perfectly coiffed hair, and sparkling accessories that can be seen on any given night in New York City, one of the most challenging things about getting oneself dressed and ready to go for a night out on the town is making sure that one stands out in said sea. It is alarmingly easy to blend in with the crowd (read: boring) even if perfectly put together with a stunning dress, shoes, etc. That’s why Christopher Kane’s show was so refreshing to see. In a number of looks, the man solves this age-old NYC conundrum with flair and ease. Considering the fact that his inspirations included such literally prehistoric influences as The Flintstones, dinosaurs, and apes, his spring 2009 collection looked remarkably futuristic and fresh.

My favorite pieces included 3-D paillette dresses that would be perfectly suited for an art party (hello, Whitney Art Party coming up in three weeks!). I especially loved the one in the picture above. Not only is it on-trend (nude!), it’s completely cool and unexpected. With those fluttering, spiny layers, you’re practically guaranteed to be the unadulterated stand-out at even the coolest party of the season. Throw on some neon leopard over it, and not only are you good to go, you’ll look like you just don’t care. Which is the ultimate sign of cool. Perfect.

Okay, I usually don’t indulge in purchasing head-to-toe runway looks to wear on the street because of several reasons. First of all, it’s highly unoriginal, no? And secondly, runway looks tend to be a bit….unrealistic. But after fave designer Alex Wang’s show last week, I found myself dreaming, actually fantasizing, about wearing this little pink and orange ensemble. Seriously? It’s genius. I’m LOVING the itty-bitty crop top with the high-waisted shorts and the combination of the two sherbet colors is making me giddy.

Crop tops are one trend I’ve been seeing everywhere, and I have to say, I’m happy they’re coming back. Office appropriate, they’re not, but then again, I work in a very liberal office. I may just try to pull it off come next spring. Co-workers: GET READY.

As you know by now, I spent much of fashion week going behind the scenes to interview not only the designers, but the hair and makeup artists also. These talented people play a huge role in determining the look and mood of the show, whether it be romantic, feminine, tough, clean, natural, etc. It’s always a big collaborative effort between all parties, and one that usually ends up tying the whole show together. My favorite backstage makeup look happened at Chris Benz. Ayako, the lead artist from cult beauty line NARS, was the woman in charge of the fresh, light, glowy look of the Chris Benz face. She took one look at my tired, on-two-hours-of-sleep skin and pulled me toward her lit mirror. “You’re so pretty, let me do your face,” she said amidst the chaos. Gladly putting myself in her capable hands, I closed my eyes while she dusted various potions and powders onto my skin.

“This is Hungry Heart,” Ayako murmured, applying the two-tone blush carefully, “It doesn’t come out until Spring 2009, but you must be sure to get it. It’s beautiful.” I opened my eyes and peered blearily into the mirror. And let me tell you, NARS’ Hungry Heart is a total miracle worker—I was suddenly golden and peachy and radiant. It lightened and livened up my entire face with a single calculated sweep of a good blush brush.

It’s the color to have on your face for Spring, so put it on your to-buy lists now.

Sometimes designers draw up cute little signs for models to read backstage. I especially liked this one that I saw at Preen. I personally think every woman should feel like they are “powerfully strong & super cool with summer sexy attitude and a rock edge.” Sounds good to me.

Disclaimer: Yes, I realize the spelling atrocities involved in said sign. But it’s all about the bigger message, people. I’m usually abnormally and annoyingly (according to my coworkers—whatevs) militant about spelling/grammar, but for once I don’t care. That much.

Over the weekend, I caught up on everything I’ve missed out on whilst in the trenches of fashion week. This includes, of course, DVR’ed episodes of everyone’s favorite show, Gossip Girl. i’m not usually totally enamored by the girls’ outfits on the show the way a lot of people seem to be, mainly because while they look great on-screen, I can’t wrap my head around actually wearing them in real life. However, when I caught sight of Serena/Blake Lively’s get-up for the fictional White Party they all attended in the Hamptons, I couldn’t help but covet the accessories she was donning. Specifically, I LOVED the delicate silver chains wrapped around her hair.

Now, through the miracle that is Google, I’ve figured out that her long white dress is Oscar de la Renta. It’s gorgeous. But I can’t seem to find out who makes the all-important hair accessory. Any guesses?

Sometime in the haze and craze that is New York Fashion Week, we made friends with a few major NBA basketball stars. Random, I know. And they were kind enough to visit us in the StyleCaster offices to see what we were all about. Here’s a picture of my husband New Orleans Hornets point guard, Chris Paul, getting a StyleCaster debrief with our CEO Ari Goldberg and Chief Content Officer Meg Cuna. He’s unbelievably cute and charming and personable. Oh, and also, apparently a really good basketball player. Go figure.