The Leopard Coat Debate

Since my freshman year of high school, I have been a devoted member of the Kate Moss worshippers. Sure, the girl's had some serious slip ups, but she has bounced back. Moss epitomizes the effortlessly cool look that supermodels seem to have in their genes. I constantly search for Moss in any magazine, and try to find similar wardrobe pieces. One particular item caught my eye. Moss was seen out and about in London wearing a knee-length vintage leopard print fur coat. I could barely stop myself from drooling.

That August, I walked into Express and saw a similar coat. Despite the crushing heat, I wrapped myself inside the warm and pelt and exclaimed, "I'd KILL for this coat!" That Christmas, I opened a box to find my very own leopard print fur coat. I loved it! Some of my friends had other opinions. My boyfriend told me I looked like "a high class escort" when I wore it. My roommate called it hideous.

I was discouraged by their proclamations. However, this morning, I would up and felt fierce. I slipped on the coat, despite my roommate's horrified expression. I decided that if I loved that coat, and it made me feel fabulous, then I was going to wear that damn coat. I felt like a movie star, and you know what? I was warm too! I strutted my stuff all day long. The moral of the story is to work any part of your wardrobe with confidence. When in doubt, I like to think of a quote from Lady Gaga, who said, "When I wake up in the morning, I feel insecure just like any other ... girl. Then I say 'Bitch, you're Lady Gaga. You get up and walk the walk today.'" Let's all get up and walk the wallk in the clothes that make us feel special.

The Rachel Zoe Project: AH-MA-ZING!

I first heard of Rachel Zoe several years ago during her dramatic fallout with Nicole Richie that took place in the pages of US Weekly. She has taken a lot of heat in the press for her extremely tiny frame, but I think people lose focus of her amazing gift. She is a genius stylist with clients such as Cameron Diaz, Eva Mendes, and Anne Hathaway.

Watching her show is like slipping into a glamorous dream world. Her adorable assistant Brad is the most hilarious and fabulous sidekick! I love when the camera pans the couture confections and crazy gorgeous accessories in her studio! The first episode of the Rachel Zoe Project didn't disappoint. A few months ago, I saw a blip on the People Magazine website saying her assistant, Taylor, had left the company. Now we know that little bitch was ripping Ms. Rachel off! Although I do have to say, she had amazing hair!

We got to watch Rachel handle this scandle with grace, and of course, some dramatics. We also got to see Demi Moore in a beachside photo shoot feeding a giraffe in huge, heeless boots (think Lady GaGa's constant footwear). I can't wait to see what the glorious Miss Zoe has up her caftan sleeves for the rest of the season!

Discount Designer Drama

I have recently been on the hunt for discounted designer deliciousness. I'm addicted to eBay, fighting tooth and nail for True Religion jeans and Lacoste sweaters. I discovered the Ideeli website, which offers great bargains on beautiful clothes. The only catch is you need to move fast or you'll miss out. Many items sell out quickly.

A website I recently joined, but am not fond of, is guiltlessglamour.com. It's an auction website, and you receive five free bids when you join the site. However, the packages for bidding are pricey. The smallest package is 25 bids for $24.95. Another annoyance is that when you bid, the time snaps back and allows more time for other bidders to attack. To me, this seems like a scam to use up your money as fast as possible.

Although I love the thrill of the chase, I'm starting to think I should just start buying retail and save myself the stress of bidding and bidding again. Then again, my beautiful white $7 vintage Lacoste sweater was totally worth the battle.

Commando Is a No-no!

Hollywood is often the start of many trends in America and around the globe. But there is one Hollywood trend that us regular girls need to stay away from. WEAR YOUR UNDERWEAR! If you're worried about a visible panty line, opt for a thong or a special seamless panty. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT leave your home without your underroos! It's classless. The only person who should see your downstairs is a gynocologist. I'm talking to you Paris Hilton! You too Lindsay Lohan!

Paris Hilton was wearing an exquisite sapphire gown at a party during the Cannes Film Festival. Not only did she lift her dress and expose her booty for the crowd -and cameras- to see. She also flashed her bubbies! Cannes is a place for intelligent, sophisticated people Ms. Hilton. If you don't know how to apply double sided tape, don't bother attending!

Lindsay Lohan is another star famous for flashing her naughty bits. Linds, this is how everyone knows you're a fire crotch sweetheart! The paparazzi hounds you. Learn how to get out of a car in a proper and ladylike fashion my dear.

Everyone, male or female, we don't need to know what's happening downstairs. Keep it classy. Leave something to the imagination. This has been a public service announcement from yours truely.

Sex and the City 2: Sexy In The City?

Carrie Bradshaw's fashion choices haven't always been the best, but after the fabulous outfits from the first Sex movie, I was expecting big things for the sequel. The cost of the wardrobe was estimated at $10 million. I felt that the girls were either covering up their best physical features, or trying to be a little too edgy or fashion forward. The character whose outfits never disappointed was Charlotte. Her style epitomizes classic Old Hollywood glamour a la Grace Kelly. Her long gowns were gorgeous and her at-home style was straight out of a Ralph Lauren ad. Loved loved loved Kristen Davis!

I also think Cynthia Nixon was looking so much sexier this time around. Her clothes were much more colorful and figure flattering. She looked amazing. Kim Cattrall looks amazing for her age, but they overdid her accessories. The lady's body is off the hook people! Let it shine! I thought that Matthew Williamson sequin dress was absolutely hideous. Without the belt, it would have looked so much better. I also thought the red dress with the spiky shoulders was tacky, but the color looked great on her.

Now on to SJP. I would do terrible, unforgiveable things for that gal's physique! I don't understand why she was swaddled in loose robes for most of the movie. I did love her Halston Heritage dresses though. She did a great job promoting her fashion line. I thought it was great for her to wear a tux to Stanford's wedding, but her hat... What the heck WAS that? She loved like a rejected extra from Lord of the Rings! I loved her jewlery though. She wore a diamond shamrock necklace during the film. Patricia Field, the costume designer, created a similar necklace which is now available at Payless Shoes for only $12! Go make like Carrie and grab one!

The part of the movie that disturbed me the most was when they destroyed a Birkin bag. A Birkin bag! And, ladies and gentleman, not only is the Birkin line itself extremely exclusive, but this was an OSTRICH SKIN Birkin! I almost threw up when they broke the handle! This beautiful orange little piece of Heaven was laying dejected in an Abu Dhabi street market! It really was fashion roadkill, as Stanford Blach once famously said.

This traumatizing fashion moment aside, who did I think was the most dapper character in the sequel? Mr. Big, of course. He never fails to look sophisticated, whether it be in a tuxedo or a simple button up. I love that man. He's like a fine wine. He only gets better with age. Even though some of the costume choices were iffy, the movie was fantastic. I plan on seeing it at least once more. If you haven't seen it yet, go see Carrie and the girls on the big screen!

Sarah Jessica Parker: Forever Fashionable In The City

Sarah Jessica Parker cemented herself as a style icon when Sex and the City premiered in 1998. As Carrie Bradshaw, she made Manolo Blahnik, Jimmy Choo, and Christian Loubiton household names. She started many trends and helped many designers sell their fashions. Since the show ended in 2004, Parker designed a low budget fashion line, Bitten, for the Steve and Barry department stores. Everything is the collection was under $20! She is currently designing for Halston Vintage.

Parker will be on the red carpet much more in the coming weeks as the second Sex and The City movie appears in theaters. My prediction is that she will be wearing many of her Halston Vintage designs, and perhaps an Alexander McQueen creation in honor of the late designer. I cannot wait to see the movie and see all the beautiful clothes the girls are wearing. The last movie didn't disappoint!

Lady GaGa's Cuckoo Couture

I'm all for individuality, but Lady GaGa takes it over the edge. From her pantsless outfits to her gravity-defying hair, the girl is insane. Most of those outfits aren't even appropriate for the stage. Leather, cone bras, thongs, and solar system head pieces are everyday attire for the singer. She recently even admitted she was cited for indecent exposure at a concert. Hmmmm.... I wonder how that could've happened!

When GaGa does attempt to be modest, she always adds an accessory to ensure she will stand out in a crowd. She has pushed the envelope much more than Madonna, Britney Spears, and Christina Aguiliera combined. I personally wish she would stop exposing herself in public. You can still stand out without showing it all. Maybe her new celibate lifestyle will encourage her to be more conservative. However, I wouldn't count on it.

A Little Taste of "The Hills"

Anyone who watches "The Hills" knows all about Lauren Conrad, or LC. For four seasons, she ruled the L.A. scene with her friends before leaving the show to become an author and designer. Though her high end Lauren Conrad collection did not receive the warmest welcome, her new collection at Kohl's is earning rave reviews. But the best part is that everything is affordable!

Conrad's collection could be described as "California cool". Her tops range from white, crisp blouses to flowy floral tank tops. She also features a variety of loose, comfortable t-shirts screen printed with various designs. The collection has jeans, capris, and leggings. There also cute ruffle skirts that can be used to dress up during the day, and be worn out at night. My favorite piece in this collection is the ruffled tank top dress. It is sapphire in color and belted to accent the waist. It is perfect for both day and nighttime outings and is currently marked down to $41.99! Kohl's is having lots of spring time sales, so run there and get your own little piece of California!

Jennifer Aniston's Fashionable Press Tour

Jennifer Aniston is known for her casual California style. However, during her recent press tour for "The Bounty Hunter", the actress stepped out of her comfort zone, and the results were phenomenal. For a 41-year-old woman, she looks absolutely amazing, and she knows how to work it.!

For her London premiere, Aniston wore a silver sequin Valentino mini-dress paired with a blazer and strappy sandals. For the New York premiere, she wore a nude colored Donna Karan dress with cut out shoulders. This dress was my personal favorite. It was simple but really stood out against Aniston's tan. She accented the dress with gold bangles and cocktail rings. For the Paris premiere, Aniston chose a pink Christian Lacroix dress. She pulled her hair back to let the design of the dress shine. For the Berlin premiere, Aniston rocked a short nude and sequined Valentino mini dress. The fabric crosses across her body and accented her toned figure nicely. She paired the dress with nude sandals, which made her legs seem even longer. In short, if "The Bounty Hunter" is as great as Aniston's outfits, it'll be a blockbuster!

Victoria Beckham: Style Icon and Fashion Designer

Victoria Beckham, formerly known as Posh Spice of the infamous Spice Girls, is plastered across every magazine cover in the grocery store. She is the epitome of style; always dressed to the nines as she does the simplest tasks and runs errands. Besides gracing the sidewalks of Los Angeles with her glamour, Beckham is also designing clothes so women can look (almost) as good as she does. A few years ago, Beckham began her design career when she created a new line of jeans for Rock and Republic. I am a huge fan and a proud owner of these designs. The line is no longer available through Rock and Republic, but can be found on sites such as eBay and Amazon.com. Beckham designed bootcut and skinny leg jeans, all with crowns embroidered into the back pockets. The colors of the crowns differed between silver, gold, blue, and pink, and sold for between $200 and $300.

Now, Beckham has created her own Victoria Beckham clothing line. The line features jeans, casual and couture dresses, sunglasses, and accessories. Beckham's Autumn/Winter collection varies between very structured pieces and pieces with lots of draping. There is an uncharacteristic amount of color in Beckham's collection, considering her prim and proper public persona. Her denim collection is very modern and edgy, and would probably appeal most to the younger, more trendy audience. Her collection is not made for the average consumer. Dresses start at around $400 and can be as costly as $3,000.

Bringing Home The Birkin

I just finished a book by Michael Tonello called "Bringing Home The Birkin". The story follows Tonello on his journey as a Hermes reseller. At first, he starts out selling scarves on eBay, until one client informs him of the coveted Birkin bag. The bag, developed by actress and model Jane Birkin, is extremely elusive. Potential owners can wait up to six years for their bag to become available. There are waiting lists at Hermes boutiques around the globe. Hermes leather goods are all handmade. A Birkin bag can take between 18 and 24 hours to make, and is only created by a single craftsman. The bags can be made leather, crocodile, and ostrich skins. They also come in a variety of sizes and colors.

Bags range in price from $7,000 to $100,000 for the rarer materials. So how did Tonello manage to procure so many Birkin bags throughout his career? After several failed attempts, he developed a formula for when he entered a Birkin boutique. Tonello would spend at least $3,000 on other Hermes products and then ask for a Birkin, claiming his mother wanted one. The story is hysterical as Tonello chronicles his trips to Hermes boutiques around the world. He meets many interesting characters and forms some lasting friendships. It is a wonderful story, and for the Hermes lovers out there, it'll keep you busy while you're waiting for your Birkin to come in.

Fashion at the Oscars

The Oscars is always the annual fashion peak for celebrities. The entire world is watching, critiquing, and criticizing the outfits showcased on the red carpet. And this year, the celebs did not disappoint. Many of the A-list stars chose more classic and elegant gowns this year. There were lots of delicate lace, silk, and ruffles. While most stars were tasteful, there was one in particular who left a sour taste in my mouth. Mariah Carey's dress was not made for a woman of her age or build. For a lady whose role in "Precious" was so celebrated, you would think she would want to embrace the moment and look like an adult. Although her velvet, navy blue Valentino gown was beautiful, it was too revealing on her. She would do better to pick something a little more modest for her next awards show.

A dress that really surprised me was Miley Cyrus'. She looked like a very elegant and beautiful young woman. Her Jenny Packham gown was age appropriate and gorgeous. Diane Kruger, who starred in "Inglorious Basterds", wore a white and black ensemble by Chanel. The rose detailing at her waist brought the dress together beautifully. Demi Moore wore a pale rose ruffled confection by Versace. My top pick for the evening was actress Zoe Saldana, of "Avatar". Her Givenchy dress featured dramatic purple ombre colors on the bottom, and sequined corset. Not many people could pull it off, but she worked it. It's dresses like these that make me wish awards season would go on forever.

Valentino: The Last Emperor

This past weekend, I watched a documentary about the famous Italian designer Valentino Garavani, commonly known as Valentino. The documentary followed Valentino through the stress of Fashion Week as well as the turmoil the fashion house experienced when a majority of the stock was sold to a different corporation. It provided an inside look at Valentino's brilliance and his struggle to decide his next move at Valentino.

Valentino began his career in Paris at age 17. He studied at the Ecole des Beaux Arts and the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne. He apprenticed for Jean Desses and Guy La Roche after he completed school. In 1959, Valentino moved back to Rome and opened his own fashion house. In 1960, he met Giancarlo Giametti, a man who would change his life forever.

The movie chronicles the unique relationship between Giametti and Valentino. Giametti had been Valentino's business partner for over 40 years. He was Valentino's punching bag and greatest supporter. Often during the film, you seen Valentino harshly speaking to Giametti or bossing him around. There is a glimpse of Valentino's sweeter side when he poignantly thanks his friend during an acceptance speech. When the camera pans to Giametti, his eyes are misty.

The film also showcases many of Valentino's brilliant designs. He created an exhibit of his creations over the years in the entryway to his final fashion show. Valentino first shot to greatness with an all white collection in the 1960's, and ended his career with a gorgeous all red collection. After 45 years of designing some of the most raptuous women's gowns in history, Valentino announced his retirement in September of 2007. The documentary closed with a view of Valentino's designs being worn by women suspended in mid-air. It was an amazing display, and a fitting way to pay to tribute to one of the fashion world's greatest minds.

House of Harlow 1960

Nicole Richie launched her House of Harlow 1960 line in 2009. The line was named for her daughter, Harlow. The collection includes shoes and jewelry. The designs have a vintage, hippie look. Her shoe collection ranges from platform python skin pumps to beaded suede moccassin boots. The prices range between $178 and $225. The shoe collection has not yet been released, but they are available for pre-order.

The jewelery collection consists of statement necklaces, cocktail rings, chunky bangles, and earrings. The decals of the jewelry are very geometric and eye-catching. Prices range between $45 and $195. The line is available online at http://www.shopkitson.com.

Richie is pictured above wearing the Black Gold Triangle Necklace, which is priced at $125.

Jason Wu: Breakout Star

Jason Wu first gained notoriety last year after becoming ong of First Lady Michelle Obama's favorite designers. She was featured on many television shows and magazine covers in his designs. Wu was born in Taiwan, but is a Manhatten-based designer. He released his first ready-to-wear line in 2006. After the Obama publicity, more and more celebrities have been spotted in Wu's creations.

Wu previewed his Fall 2010 collection at New York Fashion Week last week. His latest collection focuses on cocktail dresses in lacy fabrics and heavy draping. He also used menswear as an inspiration, and used lots of cashmere. He is getting rave reviews for his fall looks, and if he continues on this successful path, Wu will soon be one of the world's biggest designers.

Rachel Zoe for QVC

Celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe has a hit television show, "The Rachel Zoe Project", and celebrity clientelle including Demi Moore, Cameron Diaz, and Anne Hathaway. After years of styling and rubbing elbows with some of the world's biggest designers, Zoe has stepped out on her, creating a clothing and accessory line available through QVC. Considering her high fashion connections, Zoe's line is surprisingly afforadable. Accessories, such as hats and jewelry, start at around $30. The most popular piece in Zoe's collection is a faux fur vest. Countless celebrities have been seen wearing it this winter, and it only costs $88!

Depending on the success of this fashion line, hopefully Zoe will continue to design. Her collection is inspired by her own vintage designer clothes and jewelry. The line has a bohemian chic feel that basically anyone could pull off. For more information about Zoe and her fashion predictions, subscribe to the daily Zoe Report at http://www.rachelzoe.com/ .

R.I.P. Alexander McQueen

Designer Alexander McQueen was found dead of an apparent suicide on February 11, shortly before the start of both New York's and London's Fashion Weeks. McQueen was not scheduled to show a Spring/Summer line, but had been in the high fashion industry for quite some time. He had gained a large celebrity following, such as Drew Barrymore, Sandra Bullock, Lady GaGa, and Sarah Jessica Parker.

McQueen worked as the head designer for Givenchy before going out on his own to create the Alexander McQueen and McQ brands. He also won the British Designer of the Year award four times in his lifetime. Many in the fashion community expressed their sadness over McQueen's death. Sarah Jessica Parker lamented, saying, "He had so much left to do."

The pictures above are of Sandra Bullock, Drew Barrymore, and Sarah Jessica Parker wearing McQueen's designs.