Less Luxury... Not less Luxe.

Happy New Year!   I thought we could all use a remind on this Monday after the long holiday weekend.   This is the day most of the fashion flock are back to work from their holiday trips to St. Barths, South America, Mexico, etc.   A hard look at the numbers of what happened over the last few weeks might make anyone happy to be reminded of new year cheer.   

Retailers went crazy with mark downs of up to 75% before Christmas!  This led to little excitement for shoppers after the holiday... with the stores setting themselves up for the disappointment.  

A message to the ladies out there...

In the new year you might see significantly less new designer hand bags, rtw, and shoes on your real housewife friends.   This is a good thing.   Yes, I said a good thing.   The U.S. was totally out of control over the last 3 years.   As many of you know, I spent a great deal of time traveling around the country in recent years.   I met many of you while hosting retail events in luxury department stores from coast to coast.    I must admit I was shocked by the amount of women who were buying $3,000.00 handbags like tic-tacs.   Many buying 2 or 3 at once!  This is not normal, and it is even revolting.    Of course, it meant great business for the sales associates in the stores and the powers that be encouraged them to sell, sell, sell.   They are not to blame as an adult should be able to take responsibility for their own purchases.    I hate to say that much of the "problem" women developed with their credit cards stemmed from a real lack of self worth and overall sense of being.   Women insecure because so and so has the latest, or the newest bag, shoe - whatever.   This is really sad.  Are we in high school?  I met countless women who could talk about little else than what celebrity was wearing what bag, or how many bags she had at home in her closet.   To both topics - who cares?   These same women lived in cities that are home to some of the greatest museums in the country, if not the world.    You all know who you are.... of course I'm not saying all women who like to shop have a problem.   The problem is not just limited to the ladies, I know some of you guys also got out of control.

This economic melt down is the wake-up call we all needed.    Today is a new day and a new year.   Take a hard look at yourself.   Make a list of things you are interested in that do not include shopping.   Get some hobbies, volunteer, join the gym, start a book club, etc.   Stop buying celebrity tabloid rag-azines and start buying fashion magazines again!  After all, those tabloids are aimed at a girl in her teens, not the strong woman you are.   Subscribe to Vogue, Harpers Bazaar, or Elle and READ the articles - don't just flip through the pictures!

If you have been cut off from shopping, it is not the end of the world.   If you were buying luxury items in the heyday, these items will be relevant for years to come.   You will not be out of fashion to wear them again and again - mixed with new items from inexpensive stores.   For example, white jeans can make just about any pair of shoes or handbag really pop!

The value of the pieces you own from Hermes, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, etc - is now higher than ever before.   When you can shop for a high price item, take your time and choose wisely. 

I'm in this with you.   Take a look around a Life of Style every week to learn about books, movies, cooking, decorating, etc.   Make 2009 the year you found the new you!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

FASHION TRANSFORMERS

We expect fashion designers to excite and inspire us season after season with their new creations. Well these creative individuals need inspiration as well. Often, they are their own canvas for a transformation. Take a look at karl Lagerfeld and Marc Jacobs. In another example of Marc paying homage to Karl - Jacobs has gone through a physical metamorphosis as dramatic as the Kaiser's himself! Bravo to both of them for having the discipline.

WWW.KARLLAGERFELD.COM

WWW.MARCJACOBS.COM

PARIS PULSE.. Spring 2009 Runway Report

Around the world, the sky is falling in the financial sector and lets not even mention the real estate market.! Things are bleak in the real world, but in the land of glamour, glitz and all that glows - life goes on. Just as the multi-million dollar mansions of the world continue to sell - Paris runways this past week showcased those pricey frocks that will keep the worlds wealthiest women red carpet and camera ready.

Especially in times of economic turmoil - investing in looks from the major houses on luxury might be a better investment than your mutual fund at this point Lets take a look at what was the best offerings from the City of Light.

First Stop CHANEL

From season to season, Karl Lagerfeld is able to bring tomorrow's trends to the runway one year before others find the way. Fashion Week in New York last month gave us several examples! In Paris on Friday, Kaiser Karl was whipping up the future with his magic sharpie pen once again.
Chanel classics were on command. To drive the point home even further, KL recreated the facade of 31 Rue Cambon under the glass ceiling of the grand palais. Cambon is the symbol of the Coco Chanel legacy and in these times of economic turmoil - what better image to reassure nervous buyers desperate to make the right choices for Spring.

All the Chanel icons were there: black & white, tweeeds, and lace by the tier! stand out looks were the return of head to toe dressing - including matching handbag:

The look that never gets old - crisp black and white - complete with an oversized collar and signature Chanel bow. Practical and super chic at the same time. The ideal example of a look that appeals to women from 8 to 80!

One of the stand outs for sure! - layers of lace ala Flamenco style. Think Spain and castanets! The look was complete with a guitar strung across the shoulders (a hand made work of art I'm sure!). While injecting some ethnic sensuality- this theme was also a perfect way to showcase another Chanel icon - LACE. This is a collectors piece for sure!

Accessories returned to the Chanel runway after having been all but banished last fall. What look is left for Karl to re-invent you might ask? Think the Chanel bag - literally! Cutting to the chase - Lagerfeld had leather bags made to look like the famous shopping bag itself. After all, its all about the bragging rights to have one of those shopping bags right??! Now you can have one - for life!