{brand new at this is glamorous}

. . . and in between the unpacked suitcases and last-minute trips, overflowing inboxes and busy days at the office, the starry autumn nights in silvery shoes and champagne, there was time to dream up brand new and wonderful things . . . one of which, is below . . .

[exciting news after the jump] x


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{style inspiration: knotted belts}

. . . this morning's walk with the dog was already quite blustery, calling for a belted cardigan, a favourite combination at this time of year, and especially if the belt is beautifully and artfully knotted, as these from rilleau . . .

created out of necessity during the second world war, when metal production [along with petrol and sugar] was diverted to the war effort, causing the unavailability of metal buckles, [normally made of brass, nickel and iron or steel], these knotted belts also have no rivets or stitches, and each is cut freehand, without a pattern, and hand finished -- wouldn't they be lovely against pale pink cashmere?


{images: rilleau leather via n'est style; shown from top, the tapered belt & the knotted belt}

{lookbook: ulyana sergeenko, russia}

. . . exceptionally fond of wallpapered backgrounds {& wallpaper in general}, and add to that, 1950's styling, perfectly prim hair and coral lips, and one nearly misses the stunning debut fall/winter 2011 collection by russian photographer turned designer ulyana sergeenko in this beautiful lookbook -- the shimmery & sweeping turquoise tweed skirts paired with sexy sheer knits, and light-as-air ruffles & pleats paired with luxe velvet clutches and crimson heels are a perfect mix of naughty & nice . . .

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{summer fashion inspiration: white magic}

. . . and now that the magnolia trees have long flung their petals to the wind, there is such excitement for days of belted short-sleeved sweaters and sexy city shorts, for long, elegantly chic jersey dresses and bare shoulders, and most of all, chantilly lace and sunkissed skin . . .





{p.s.} the lace dress in the first is by brioni, the top, belt & shorts in the second is by max mara, and the stretched jersey dress in the last is by chanel

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{editorial: white magic; heather marks by max abadian for flare, june 2011; styled by elizabeth cabral via noir façade}

{style inspiration: bright whites & bits of colour}

. . . while in theory, may love the thought of stepping out in vibrant spring hues, in actuality, much more likely to dash out the door in pale & pretty neutrals . . . and so, was delighted to happen upon a perfect compromise: a crisply tailored white coat accented with an elegantly thin fuchsia belt and pale yellow clutch, or long layers of lace and cool colour-block sandals, or perhaps, floor-length in warm whites, cinched with a perfectly preppy band of kelly green . . .


{images: anna selezneva by mariano vivanco for vogue russia, june 2011 via fgr}

{lookbook: 3.1 phillip lim spring 2011}

. . . buttercream-coloured wrap dresses and light linen blazers, pretty pantsuits and delicate sheer trenches -- spring's elegant neutrals go from an early start at the office to a late lunch or a dashing dinner date with ultra-stylish and perfect ease . . .

{p.s.} can hardly wait for bare legs again

{3.1 phillip lim spring 2011 lookbook via rdujour}

{mid-week musings & plans for paris}

. . . a classic trench with skinny jeans and open-toed sandals, or a belted blazer and café au lait on the terrace . . . there so many lovely things to look forward to . . .

{p.s.} travel plans to new york to attend a previous engagement tonight were thwarted by weather conditions, but all is not lost, as there are now new and beautiful plans for a return to paris before month's end . . .

{images: tumblr; dead fleurette; tba; matchbook}

{runway inspiration: bally, new york}

. . . skinny belts and elegant high-waisted pencil skirts, toggle coats and long leather opera gloves -- graeme fidler and michael herz for bally's pre-fall 2011 collection is pure lady-like perfection . . .

{p.s.} yellow & grey in the home

{style.com}

{fashion stylist: fer decartaya}

. . . crazy for the perfect styling, by london-based fashion stylist fer decartaya, in these hopelessly lovely shots by photographer xavi gordo -- high-waisted and romantic lace shorts paired with structured handbags, stylishly messy side-braids and thick-rimmed glasses, delicate seafoam silk chiffon blouses cinched with ultra-thin teal-coloured belts, and the beautiful layering of tartan and ruffles, . . .






{alexandra vittekova by xavi gordo, styled by fer decartaya via miss at la playa}

{style inspiration: knotted belt}

. . . have an inordinate amount of cardigans, from lightweight and summery to cozy and cashmere, hand-embroidered and trimmed in velvet ribbon to embellished with crystal fasteners or mother-of-pearl buttons; perfect for any season and any weather, and nearly always layered over bow blouses, silky camisoles, or the softest brushed cotton . . . but suddenly quite smitten with the idea of wearing them on their own, buttoned and belted in a simple and easy sophistication . . .

{p.s.} the belt is from asos

{image: photography by ben weller for british vogue, november 2010}

{runway inspiration: elie tahari, new york}

. . . at the moment a little time off, but when it's back to business, it will be belted blazers and high-waisted trousers, gold leather opera gloves and cozy capelets, elegant knee-length hemlines and always classic trenches . . .

{p.s.} more pre-fall picks:
* burberry prorsum
* fendi

{images: elie tahari pre-fall 2011 collection, style.com}