Washington Gets Wu’d! November 10, 2009

Last Thursday, Neimans Mazza Gallerie hosted a super-fab chic and greet with hauter than hot designer Jason Wu. The champagne cocktails were bubblin’, the appetizers were delish and the clothes…well, the clothes nearly rendered Mimi speechless. Nearly, just nearly.

Remember my Wu gabfest following his September show? Well, lemme tell you, flippin’ through style.com doesn’t have a thing on the real deal. It was absolute magic to touch and feel and see the actual fashions that Wu showed in NY just months ago. And being able to gush ad nauseum with fellow fashionistas took the whole experience to another level. I mean, normal people can only discuss the life-altering beauty of a white, chiffon trench for so long. As a unit, the S/S and Resort lines for 2010 conveyed a feel of funky-femme. Wu displayed frocks that were tailored to perfection for a classic lady-like fit, but reached a level of high-fashion with offbeat prints and neon-hued cross-stitching. His use of texture, color, print and silhouette grabbed each of the senses. Plenty of classic-sexy sheaths and full printed skirts induced “MObama” moments. And while I seemed to find a new favorite piece with each passing nano-second, a few definitely tugged at my sartorial heartstrings.

The saffron one-shoulder embellished mini was begging for an equally punchy-hued shoe to complete the showstopper effect. And its next-door neighbor, an equally sexy mini made of foil strips with a chiffon overlay is the reason to throw a Holiday shinding. I mentioned the chiffon trench earlier, but it was a literal piece of fashion heaven. Long and flowy, but made wearable with impeccable structuring, this jacket was the most versatile of either collection. It was paired with a TDF blush lace minidress, but I was dying to throw it over ripped-up skinny jeans, a plain tee and crazy shoes. Another fave was a black sweater laced with the most intricate rainbow beads, giving it the effect of a chicster’s lite brite.

O, and as for the talented Mr. Wu? He was totally unassuming, but completely engaging. Like many other designers I’ve met, he was way sweeter than you would ever think. But what impressed me most was not his kind nature- o, no, this is about fashion, HighEnders- but the thoughtful way he talked about his designs and work. It was neither scripted, nor reeking of a sense of entitlement. Instead, he spoke as if each piece were his favorite, as if he could rattle the most minute details about each skirt, blouse and frock- from conception to retail. Wu’s passion for design was obvious, but it was his display of brains and beauty that truly captivated me.

Monday’s Muses…ZaniZoomZoomZoom November 9, 2009

ZoomZoomZoom *www.thesartorialist.com*

I’ve been on a Monday Muses hiatus for a little bit- sososorry, HighEnders! My Sunday life has involved me either doing 1.678 million different things or refusing to leave the comfort of my bed and TVzoneout! But I’m back, my darlings and with a good one- Zani Gugelmann, socialite, jewelry designer and gal on the scene. She displays UptownChic in a way that is completely effortless but never stuffy. Zani shies away from the Manhattan-bot look of perfect curls, crisp Oxford shirt and ubiquitous Birkin. Instead she opts for a casual uniform of perfect-fit denim, chic jackets and glam fur touches; and an evening wardrobe of classic, but uber-stylish gowns, loose hair and…glam fur touches! Gotta love a gal that appreciates the furry stuff

I’m drawn to Zani because her aesthetic is understated, but never underdressed. She’s that girl by the bar rockin’ jeans and a messy bun, yet still capturing the attention of the entire room with her confident glow.

Well enough of my jabbering, let’s roll that beautiful Zani footage!

Monday’s Muse is back, darling HighEnders! Who do you want to see? (this is the part where you load my comment box with suggestions )

Barely Made-Up Ladies November 9, 2009

Don’t worry, HighEnders. Despite its title, this post is not a feature on an all-girls cover band of 90’s group Bare Naked Ladies! Nope, this is all about beauty, beauty, beauty!

For the past year or so, I have been absolutely obsessed with the nude pout. Remember my summer lust list? Well, recently I’ve moved from the mouth and am now completely captivated by the carefully calculated nude face. Of course I don’t mean like an actual bare face—reference my “beauty!” chant. O, what Mimi’s talking about is a palette of creamy nudes and perfect peaches that will have you looking subtly sexy in a snap. I am obsessed with Nicole Richie’s understated glam in the picture above. The look is fresh and romantic, but still gives Nic a sexy glow!

So who better to tell you the beauty benefits of bare&buff than Mimi?

For eyes, I love tarte’s lock&roll in sandstone—cream eyeshadow on one end gives the perfect wash of matte nude, while the other end offers subtle shimmer. With just one swipe, darlings, you’re ready for world…well, beauty domination Another fave is Lorac’s powder eyeshadow in cappuccino. It leaves my lids a soft brown but with a polished matte finish. And I know I’ve been raving about tarte’s lifted, but this eye primer does double duty by providing a great creamy base for any nude shade, while also smoothing and tightening eyelids.

Give cheeks a soft wash with tarte’s uber-popular cheek stains. For my fair-skinned and olive-tone girls, try the sweet peachiness of “blissful.” And my brown-skinned ladies can think pink with “eco-cheek,” a coral shade that offers just a hint of shimmer.

Complete the look with my favorite- the nude pout—with lorac’s cream lipstick in Charity. Or for the gal who wants it all, the double-ended lipgloss in Odysseus and Penelope offers two shades in one.

Okay, time to bare it all…on your face, that is!

Sephora Holiday 2009: No Famine of Beauty Here November 5, 2009

While I enjoy pretty make-up as much as the next gal, we all know I really go ga-ga for fashion. Well, that all (kinda) changed when I got the Sephora Holiday catalog on Wednesday. There it was sitting innocently in my mailbox, just waiting to blow my make-up mind. So in the same vain of my NYFW posts, I’m gonna do a stream of consciousness review of the cosmetics catalog.

• Usually loathe glitter, but L.O.V.E. the disco-fever eye courtesy of Make-Up Forever on p. 2
• Who wants to buy me the Lashtash Sampler on p 6? Santa Baby…
• The gold-flecked peacock-green face via pg 14-15 has rendered me speechless…well, almost. I want it ALL. And I want it NOW. Benefit’s OneHotMinute looks like something I definitely need.

• Seems like I’m a bit of a glitter fraud because I am digging on that ruby-red slipper lip on p. 18. Make-Up Forever, you sneaky sparkly devil

• tarte’s treasure chest (cue sweet angelic music)  The 16 matte shadows, the 16 shimmery shadows, all that gloss. O, and you know the tartelettes are gonna glam it up with the packaging! I.NEED.THAT.OR.ELSE.
• Michael Kors Very Hollywood (&Very Chic) ring? Hellllllo, lover!
• Korres bath/beauty dozen on p.34 has my name allll over it! Would love to Korres some of that body butter!
• Sephora Favorites Fragrance Sampler is GENIUS! 7 minis or 12 samples and gift card for your fave full size- Sephora, you are one smart kitty!

Final review: Holiday is all about color, shine and sparkle! Have fun and be glam while deckin’ those halls!

All right, HighEnders, beauty, beauty, beauty!

I Got What You NEED! November 4, 2009

Our grandparents had WWII, our parents had the Cold War, and our generation has the War on EmoHipsters. You can barely grab coffee at the local Starbucks or pick up a NYTimes bestseller from Borders without running into twenty skinny-jeaned, ironic glasses-wearing, (insert “rad undercover” band)-listening Hipsters. They’re so too cool for school, but seem to always be in it. But only in purely transcendental courses like Indian literature during the Colonial period or Philosophy 302: The Perspective of Frank Zappa. And how can one be so “ahead of the pack” while wielding a super-cool 1970s Polaroid or equally out-of-date&(non-working) piece of technology?

Now, I know it seems like I h.a.t.e. the hipster set, but I really don’t. In recent years, they have brought some wonderful things into my sartorial well-being: floppy knit berets, fingerless gloves, leggings for days and quirkily (word?) placed headbands. And more recently…introducing Need SupplyCo. This Richmond,VA-based company began in 1996 as a denim emporium and has since expanded to include some funky-chic apparel lines like Eryn Brinie, BB Dakota, T by Alexander Wang and Jeffrey Campbell. Need’s stuff is on-trend, reasonably-priced and a great alternative to the overwhelmingly hipness of Urban Outfitters. “Listen, you acid-denim freakazoid, I’m just trying to get to the latest KimchiBlue dresses- grab one of UO’s ‘cheeky’ books and chill the f*** out!” Sorry, its like PHSD(post hipster stress disorder) Now onto the fashion!

NEED it, NEED it:

1. Marley shoe by Dolce Vita- Watch out my miniskirts!
2. Seneca Rising’s Leila Sweater is the perfect touch of moto for Mimi’s closet.
3. NEED this L/S Zipper Tunic! How TDF would that grey be with a pop of haute pink?
4. Mink Pink’s Riveting Mini is all I want in a dress- short, black and studded to the nines! Let it Rock, yall!
5. This Quicksilver Rendevous top is awesome for a non-girly feminine look. Toughen it up with black skinnies and a serious statement shoe.
6. Ok, Mimi’s having a slight girly-girl relapse with this Eryn Brinie Bow Cardigan. But I dare you not to love its tea-stained hue and double-layer effect? Uh-huh, that’s what I thought!
7. Jeff Campbell’s Carry boot is doin’ the damn thing in it’s over-the-knee, strapped-up perfection. Mimi likey…

All right, HighEnders, pull on your most “damn the man” newsboy cap and perfectly roughed-up leather boots and “get Hippy wit it!”

Yup in My White Tee November 3, 2009

I learned a lot from my darling freshman year roommate- the exact flirty tone and eyelash-bat it takes to trick boys into lifting heavy things, how to prepare a gourmet meal with just a frozen chicken sausage and a microwave, that selflessness and a generous spirit are the best qualities a girl can possess and last, but not least, the importance of the perfect white t-shirt. I guarantee, from Fall 2004 to Spring 2005, we went through about 30 white t-shirts. Our go-to-brand back then was B.P.- ya know, that hilarious juniors line from Nordstroms. We’ve grown up a little bit and now stockpile the white stuff from J.Crew and B.R.

But for you, my lil HighEnders, I am showcasing the cooler, edgier brands that are nudging their way onto the white tee scene.

1. Blue Life’s Foxy Tee is such a fresh take on the basic white tee. Go cas’ jeans or dress it up with a sexy pencil skirt!
2. Alternative’s Burnout Tee offers a great alternative to your go-to Hanes v-neck.
3. I am in LOOOOOVE with National Limited’s slash-neck tee because it is laid-back and sexy all at once. I dare you not to pair this top with your flyest leggings!
4. You can hardly utter “cool, white tee” without being bombarded with versions from LnA. This zipper-pocket variety has been spotted on some of my fave celeb stylcons from Kate Moss and Mary-Kate Olsen to Nicole Richie and Gwen Stefani.
5. For my HighEnders who would rather go naked than pay $80 for a PlainWhiteTee, Urban Outfitters has your back…and front. This sheer version by BDG would be great under a boyfriend blazer.
6. O the things I would do to this long-sleeve tee by Sauce. With its contrast kangaroo pocket and subtly sexy open neckline, this is the chicest tee I’ve seen in a while. Grabbing leather pencil skirt now…

All right, darling readers, don’t be shy- grab your favorite version of the white stuff! My former roommie will definitely approve of this simple sexy stylin’! (Check out our adorable then&now pics Love ya, MC!)

Thomas Crown Affair: A Style Heist October 28, 2009

It is a cinematic miracle when the original film and the re-make are equally chic. Psycho and King Kong, please take note!

Well, my favorite “then&now” film duo is the sexy theft thriller The Thomas Crown Affair. Something about the dangerous cat-and-mouse between the debonair thief and the savvy insurance girl appeals to my fascination with forbidden flirtations. And the costuming? Talk about a wardrobe wowza! I recently watched both films and just knew I had to take it to the blog!

*images courtesy of allmoviephoto.com, boston.com, dailymail.co.uk, all-reviews.com, idiadega.blogspot.com, beautifulhairstyles.com*

The Faye&McQueen Show

Ms. Dunaway breezes on-screen in cool pastels and luxe accessories. She’s a man-eater who you can also take home to mama! With sexy updos and impeccable manis, Faye moves with sass and confidence that lesser women only dream of. Her skirt suits hearken back to a time when professional ladies didn’t check their femininity of the office door. Mr. McQueen, in his slim suits and GQ-cool casualwear, is obviously the originator of playboy-chic a la Daniel Craig’s James Bond. And that polo scene? HauteHotHaute!

BespokeBronson&RavishingRenee

Pierce’s version of Tommy is just as cool and stylish as McQueen’s. I swear the tailored suit was invented for this dashing Irishmen. And he can rock a barely buttoned white shirt and jeans like none other.  From his posh Uptown address (68th and Lexington) to his devil may care (or steal) attitude, Brosnan portrays bad-boy chic with perfection. Decked out in fur and gartered gams, Renee makes an entrance that is silver-screen slamming. Her entire wardrobe is so classic and sophisticated that, a decade later, it is still relevant and completely enviable. With her sequins, body-con frocks and moto jackets, Renee as Catherine could easily be featured in a Fall 2009 Vogue spread. And beyond the costuming, the chemistry between the characters is so electric, it’s almost naughty- like the back-and-forth between you and your most inappropriate crush.

All right, HighEnders, slip into your most lux jammies and get ready for a double-header of sexy-chic. I swear, they will “steal” your sartorial heart The trailer for the original below!

The Fauxtorialist October 22, 2009

Now before we get down to the nitty gritty fash thing, let’s make one thing clear. I know my place in this fashion world- behind a pen (or keyboard) or clutching a credit card. Almost NEVER behind the camera. I know to leave that job to some of my fave photogs- Garance, The Sartorialist and my father! Yep, despite my amateur attempts at Marchesa, I fully understand that I am just not naturally camera-chic. Butttt, while scoping out Bergdorfs NY for the SATC crew, I spotted this woman who inspired my inner Avedon.

Takin' it to the streets

Was it her perfect ponytail- Bardot and casual all at once? Or her Goyard bag, slung as effortlessly as a “This is not a plastic bag” tote? Maybe those cargo pants tucked into hightop Converse? While I’ve never been a Chuck Taylor-chicster, for a brief second this total stranger had me reconsidering a Con life. Hmmm…perhaps it was how all of these elements came together seamlessly as she instantly struck a “K.Moss, eat your bloody ♥ out!” pose when I asked to take a picture.

Wait…I got it! What impressed me most was how this remarkably stylish woman reinforced a style lesson I’ve slowly (but surely) been learning for the past few years: laid-back luxe can make just as fantastic- if not more- of a style statement as its dressier counterpart.

Well, Ms. Euro-Fash, thank you for that sense of sartorial validation

Checks Up On It! October 21, 2009

The Old English print isn’t just for Earl-Grey sipping, Yorkshire-cottage residing sheep hearders. OK- so I know that is the least accurate portrayal of the English countryside, but “fluent in fashion,” not cultural references. (Insert my sister’s “You are Cher Horowitz-dumb” sneer)

Anyways, houndstooth is getting major airtime this season. From McQueen to Michael K., Forever21 to Singer22, everyone seems to want a piece of this hound dog. And though the black/white version continues to reign supreme, pops of cobalt, fuchsia and grey are making their way on the scene too.

Houndstooth Hauties:

1. Go full-out Jackie O in these chic (and cheap) houndstooth sunnies by Charlotte Russe
2. Who could make handwear more HighEnd than Michael Kors? Yep, I’m drawing a blank too.
3. This Preen frock is basically begging me to pair it with a black chubby fur and and killer neon-hued shoes- folks at Preen, you should probably heed this daring dress’ desire
4. For the more casual chicster, DKNY’s laid-back tee is the perfect entree into the world of houndstooth.
5. Upon seeing this crazy-beautiful bootie that combines a funky silhouette with a classic print, I totally understand the Americana doctrine- Life, liberty and the pursuit of L.AM.B. That’s how it goes, right?
6. Nobody could deck out flirty peplum quite like Ms. Lepore. I would diiiiieeee to contrast the pretty of Nanette’s pencil skirt with a totally downtown boyfriend blazer!
7. McQueen is the reigning king of houndstooth this season with the print covering everything from slim sheaths, beyond haute leggings (7.) and fashionably-frayed jackets (9.). I think I’ll just take one of each…
8. With its flecks of gold, super-bold print and recessionista price-tag, this F21 mini is a MAY-JAH (Posh Cockney accent) must-have!

Well, darlings, I have given you everything short of a spot of tea that you need to successfully conquer this classic-chic look. Whether you go DKNY-casual or All Hail McQueen, you can’t miss this Fall with houndstooth.

Monday’s Muses- The Ladies of Fashion Week October 19, 2009

Fashion Month has officially come to an end. Sniff, sniff. Tear, tear. Back to the mediocre aesthetic of everyday life. But before any sartorial suicides ensue, let’s take a nostalgic look at some of the most styling front (2nd, 3rd, 4th) row girls. This special edition of Monday’s Muses is kind of like the “We Are the World” version of the weekly post. Ok, well minus the charitable aspect. Although chic always works to soothe my soul

*images via links/collage by mimi_style*

*images via links/collage by mimi_style*

I take no credit for these AMAZING images. I only credit myself for being able to spot ToDieFor, crazy-beautiful, make you want to kill yourself fashion. Though I cite each pic with its respective blog/site/etc, I just want to say grazie, merci, thanksthanksthanks to the incredible talent of The Sartorialist’s Scott Schuman, his lady friend Garance Dore, Jak&Jil’s Tommy Ton and the brazen baby of the group Karla Derass. They have put us bloggers on the fashion map- laptops on the front row at D&G, anyone?

Well, HighEnders, I hope you loooove this special edition of Monday’s Muses. And as the images say- literally and figuratively- “Viva la moda!”