I’ve been diligently attempting to catch up on the Pre-Fall collections and I have happily come across one of my favorite trends: RED!

Actually, I should say one of our favorites. Someone recently asked Arlene and me separately what our favorite color was and we both said red. Don’t look so surprised. We’re dressed alike more often than not.

{all images via Style.com}

Alexander McQueen has long been my favorite designer. There is no doubt that his were the designs that really drew me into the fashion world. I loved his creativity, his courage and conviction, his craftmanship, his sense of drama. I loved the way he turned his runway shows into productions. And I am fortunate to be able to say that I love the way I feel in his clothes. As avant-garde and out there as his designs could sometimes appear, it was always clear that he loved the female form and that it served as a wonderful muse for him.

The first full collection that Sarah Burton created for the house of McQueen was something that I just couldn’t look at. I was still so sad at the loss of such a supreme talent and I just couldn’t bear the thought of someone else trying to recreate his work. Fortunately, I finally decided to give Sarah Burton a chance, and I’m so glad I did. Her designs are so elegant and well-crafted and are such a lovely tribute to Lee Alexander McQueen. Her respect for the late designer is evident in both her last 2 collections. While the Spring11 collection seemed to be a parade of greatest McQueen hits, the Fall11 collection is clearly more her while still paying tribute to classic McQueen silhouettes and ideas.

Sarah Burton's belted fur from F11; McQueen's from F09

McQueen's mosaics from S09; Burton's china shards for F11

Sarah Burton for S11; McQueen's blue peacock from S09

Printed chiffon from Burton for S11 and McQueen from S08

A couple of McQueen's golds, from F03 and S08

and a Sarah Burton gold

White with lace and corset detail from McQueen S07 and Burton S11

Feathers in black from S07 and in white from S11

I love that she is still keeping his spirit and legacy alive, while putting her own spin on the house’s designs. Amazing that she’s cranked out 2 truly beautiful collections. No question that she had some gigantic shoes to fill.

Once again we have to thank David at Hazel for hunting down yet another amazing line…this time out of Taiwan, Hao Shi design studio.  Hao Shi is a collection of amusing rings & necklaces (and one merry-go-round clock equipped with all the classic carousel animals ).   I was immediately intrigued with the knuckle ring…a piece I’ve never owned.  When it comes to jewelry, rings are my drug of choice.  We are either styling or typing or playing photographer and I just thought a knuckle ring would be too constricting.  Constricting, pahstricting…who cares!  It’s too cool not to wear!  Or enjoy!

feels really great on too!

there are other cuties...like piglet.

LOVE the beautiful packaging....gift ready :)

oh, hello!

So after a few weeks of fall, I have to proclaim here & now that my Demylee sweaters are the bomb!!  I’m already living in the Tommy and it’s only October.  Not just me either….Brandon too!   We’re both hooked.  It’s the fit, it’s the style & it’s the cashmere.  If you have not yet discovered Demylee, go discover!  Before it gets any colder!  You’ll thank us later :]

My coveted Tommy pullover here with my Daryl K leggings/mini, LD Tuttle pumps

A cozy stack of Demy's

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I’ve always been a fan of borrowing from the boys.  They have such great wardrobe pieces like the trouser pant, a cozy cardi or my favorite, a great button up shirt.  The Parisians may stake claim to the striped tee, but we have this americana classic…the button up shirt.  Funny but not an easy basic to find.  I like mine either shrunken or oversized and I rotate between my reverse seam Steven Alan’s and a couple of vintage Ralph Lauren’s. There’s also Band of Outsiders and just the other day I come across another boy to borrow from Baron Wells.

and the button up looking great out on the streets….

what's easier to pair back to leather??

there's always an assortment of button up's in our styling closet

images via All The Pretty Birds, Baron Wells & Vanessa Jackman,

For my birthday a few months ago, I received the Vanity Fair Proust questionnaire book from our friend and former intern, Amanda. What a fantastic gift! Chock full of interesting tidbits from a whole host of interesting people. Recently I was reading the Karl Lagerfeld Q & A. Since he dislikes Monday mornings, I thought it was only fitting to share it with you on a Monday morn. Enjoy.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?
I am perfectly happy as long as I don’t ask myself if I am happy …

What is your greatest fear?
To lose my health. A boring subject, but life is more fun when you feel great …

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
I got used to even my bad traits. Indifference is one of them … I still fight against it.

What is the trait you most deplore in others?
I take people the way they are … with me … but that may be also a part of my indifference.

What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
Manipulative religious hypocrisy.

On what occasion do you lie?
When it makes circumstances easier …

What do you dislike most about your appearance?
I spend my life working on that subject …

What is your greatest regret?
I have little regret for wrongdoings of my past. Just a little remorse sometimes …

What or who is the greatest love of your life?
My life is not over yet. There is no other way to answer such a question …

What is your current state of mind?
Much more positive than I expected it to be at my age …

What do you consider your greatest achievement?
It may sound strange: myself, or what I did with myself—how I manipulated myself.

What is your most treasured possession?
I fight against possessions. They victimize you … if not, little worthless things I would not mention.

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
Ill health, unwanted loneliness, and—to be honest—to be poor; or the three together …

Where would you like to live?
New York could be the next step … but I am not a one-place person.

What is your favorite occupation?
My jobs: fashion, photography, publishing books. If not, time with my friends and daydreaming.

What do you most value in your friends?
I take them as they are. Family you get—friends you have to find … Up to you to find the right friends without too much questioning.

Who are your favorite writers?
In what language? I like poets best, E. Dickinson (English), R. M. Rilke (German), Mallarmé (French), Leopardi (Italian). I speak no other languages and I don’t believe in translated poetry …

Who is your favorite hero of fiction?
Virginia Woolf’s Orlando …

Who are your heroes in real life?
There are a few, but I cannot mention them. Some people would be surprised not to be on the list—and others would be … perhaps …

What are your favorite names?
Tancrede (for boys), Allegra (for girls).

What is it that you most dislike?
Monday mornings …

How would you like to die?
I hate the idea of death—I prefer to disappear …

Did you know he was quadra-lingual??? I sure didn’t. And his favorite hero of fiction is Oralndo?? Endlessly fascinating, that Karl Lagerfeld. Valentino also said that his depth of misery would to be ill and poor. But not lonely. Interesting…

Today officially marks exactly one week till Fashion’s Night out in NYC and the start of fashion week  Yes, folks, Brandon and I will be there and we cannot be more excited.  Thus, the countdown begins!  Our schedule is confirmed…The shows will be Rachel Comey, Gary Graham & Peter Jensen and for Fashion’s Night Out what sounds like more fun than an outdoor party hosted by Rag & Bone & 3.1 Phillip Lim and mini makeovers with Gucci Westman??  7 days and counting…

Well here in the studio, at least. New fall merchandise has been arriving at a rapid pace for the last month. We’ve been styling and snapping and cropping like crazy to get it all up on the site, which means that we’ve been staring at all our new goodies for hours on end. It’s truly not glamorous, but it sure is fun to play with a bunch of amazing clothes every day!!! Some of my favorites so far…

First, 3 of my favorites all in 1 outfit! The dress makes me feel… well, ethereal is the word that comes to mind. And the booties are so light that I’ve even been wearing them during our incredibly humid weather. But the leather shirt. The leather shirt just makes me crazy. So soft, so versatile and just so freaking cool. LOVE it.

SFRD leather shirt vest, Gary Graham pintuck dress, Rachel Comey Memo booties

The Ruse dress from Rachel Comey. I ordered this, but it doesn’t fit SOOO disappointed.

I am always on the lookout for a great pair of pants, and these Vanessa Bruno Athe pants are just the best pair EVER. I wasn’t supposed to own these, but fate — and my dog, Kuma — lent a hand. Arlene and I were trying them on when they first landed and were in the process of telling ourselves and each other that they weren’t for us and that we needed to save them for our customers when over walks Kuma (he doesn’t like to be left out). He looks up at me and then gives me a giant lick on the leg (he’s a black lab, so his licks are pretty big), leaving a giant stain on the — now mine — pants. BAD dog.

Vanessa Bruno Athe soft trouser, Gar-de leather jacket, Sophomore tee, Loeffler Randall pumps

And the coup de grace, the Navy faux fur from SONIA by Sonia Rykiel. Knocks me out, it’s so good. Arlene and I actually both bought this, which might be a problem since we do everything and go everywhere together. We’ve had matching outerwear before, but nothing like this. But how could we resist? It feels so delicious when you’re all wrapped up (and you don’t even have to worry about those pesky animal activists!) And it’s navy. I mean, come on. How many times in your life do you come across a great navy fur???

SONIA by Sonia Rykiel faux fur, stripe tee and zipper leggings, Prairies de Paris pumps

So many other amazing things, but if I list them all here I won’t have time to actually do my work! We’ll be back, I promise.

The start of a new season is always such an exciting time of the year….not Christmas, but close  It’s so much fun seeing the new trends hit the stores and hit the streets!  Fall is unfolding with the most amazing pieces!  We love all the cozy knits, the incredible outerwear, but our favorite item of this season has to be the amazing pant.  The amazing pant is taking on some new (wearable!) shapes and in a wide variety of fabrics & prints.  Here is just a sampling of what to look forward to….are you ready?

How fitting! This is a drawing from my daughter, Kit, when she was 6 yrs old. It hangs in our studio. My favorite is the pant with the built in belly button!

Check out The Shop.  Amazing pants arriving daily!!

images via (from top) Marie Claire, Surface to Air, Rachel Comey runway show, Loeffler Randall.

It’s almost fall, which means that it’s time to get back to work. It also means that it’s time to kick off the fashion season here in Chicago, which means… Macy’s Glamorama! Always a fun fashion and entertainment filled event, Glamorama also supports a very worthy cause: the Ronald McDonald House Charities.

This year’s ambassador is 6 year old Max Herrick, who will officially celebrate his 6th birthday at the Chicago Theatre this coming Friday, August 13th.

Little Max underwent numerous heart surgeries before he could even walk and had a heart transplant at the age of 2. It is a miracle that he is even alive and the Ronald McDonald House provided an opportunity for Max’s family to be with him — and be together — as he bravely took on all of these challenges. Everyone involved that I’ve spoken to has much to say about Max and is super thrilled to be able to give back to this amazing cause.

As if Max wasn’t reason enough to attend, this year’s Glamorama has an over-the-top opening number designed by Chris March. The beloved finalist from season 4 of Project Runway is notorious for sleeping during one of the challenges and for using hair in his final collection. But most recently he’s gotten accolades for dressing Meryl Streep and propelling her straight from the worst-dressed list to the best-dressed list.

At the 2010 Golden Globes in a March design. She looks amazing, right??

and luminous in another March creation at the 2010 Oscars.

Though Chris’ designs for Meryl Streep are very chic and sophisticated (he cites classic Dior as a huge influence), he’s also got a crazy side (he also cites Vivienne Westwood as a favorite), so I honestly don’t know what to expect. All I could get out of Chris and the show’s producer, Mike Gansmoe, is that there will be people flying and over 70 yards of fabric. Hmmm. I’ll admit it, I’m intrigued. A little scared, but intrigued.

Macy Gray and Eric Hutchinson will also be performing, as well as dancers from my all-time favorite show, So You Think You Can Dance (yes, I’m a big dork, but I LOVE that show!) And I’m excited to see the fashion — Fall collections from Sonia Rykiel, Issey Miyake, Gaultier, Marc Jacobs — and the local style. A fun show and an even fun-ner after-party on the 7th floor of Macy’s State Street. We will definitely be there and are looking forward to it!! Hope you can make it, too. And be sure to sport your best style — we’ll be on the lookout for you!

Tickets may be purchased through Ronald Mcdonald House Charities of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana at 630.623.2309, through The Chicago Theatre box office, or through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com or 1.800.745.3000.

Meryl Streep images via Project Rungay.