TORY'S GOT SEOUL

As much as I love Tory Burch's clothes, I love her boutiques more. They're bold, they're beautiful, and they're bound to make you shop. Here's a bit of Fashion Week that won't make the runway.

Where is the home decor line, Tory?

Here's the brand new Tory Burch boutique in Seoul. Lucky South Koreans!

OTHER BOUTIQUES AROUND THE WORLD

Seoul images, Tory Burch. Store front, ottoman, NYTimes. Other rooms, www.mattersofstyleblog.com. 

SEEING RED

WARNING: SHOPPING TEMPTATIONS AHEAD!
Today at Gilt Group - some top sales, and I'm seeing a lot of great color for fall! (Coordinate with the leaves, no?)

Images, GiltGroup.com.

THE UNREAL D.C. HOUSEWIVES

I was raised, like any proper Southern girl, on Amy Vanderbilt's Complete Guide to Etiquette. Back in its earlier editions, Amy was less concerned with subjects like achieving "family harmony" and instead provided useful information on living the grand life (and when and where to employ those white gloves). I especially loved the section on how to visit the White House, including dress, behavior, and how to appropriately respond to that coveted cream and gold invitation. Miss Amy, naturally, assumed there would BE an invitation, and in that respect failed to anticipate the modern style of "crashing," or, indeed, anything else remotely associated with the TV show the Real Housewives of D.C.

The Real Housewives of D.C. in the Square Office.

Today over at Human Events, I'm writing about the phenomenon of the D.C. Housewives, and how far they are from the "real" D.C. I think Amy would approve.
Please click here to read!

Images, invitation via Custodians of History, Housewives via Bravo network.

THE BLACK SWAN

I've never been terribly fond of Natalie Portman. Or is that Keira Knightly? I can't tell them apart, really, so perhaps it doesn't matter. At any rate, Portman is the evil twin this holiday movie season, starring in the Black Swan, a psychological thriller about a dancer who spins out of control. Though there have been (more than) enough dance movies lately, few have dealt with the "underworld" of intrigue and pressure in the international ballet scene. And, I'll see anything, anywhere, about Swan Lake, truly the most beautiful ballet in the history of dance.

Portman stars as the new prima ballerina, and the recent premier received very positive reviews. But the rest of us mere non-film-fest-attending-mortals will simply have to wait until the December release to get a peak. (Tip: do not confuse this with The Nutcracker and take the kids). 

The trailer has a whiff of Audrey Tautou in "He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not," where the audience is unsure who is truly mad - and who is dangerous. 

The real Swan Lake: the Black Swan is the evil opposite of Odette, the Swan Queen. The Black Swan, Odile, lures the prince, who is in love with Odette, away at the crucial moment when he must declare his love for Odette or see her die at the hand of the sorcerer, Odile's father. Here, Yuan Yuan Tan dances as the Black Swan in 1998.  

The ballet theme has been a constant in fashion throughout the years. Here, Vogue does ballet with a touch of Billy Elliot, 2008.

West Side Story!

Vogue cover, 2007 - Sienna Miller as a white swan.

Gisele Bundchen strikes a balletic pose in Vogue.

Lilly Cole as an English swan in British Vogue.

Wear the look!

1. Alice + Olivia Feather Skirt. 2. Manolo Blahnik Leather Feather d'Orsay. 3. Judith Leiber Sunburst Moderne Minaudiere. 4. Stephen Dweck Bone Feather Necklace. 5. TopShop Flower and Feather Clip. 6. Pretty Ballerinas' Rosario Red and Gold Lock and Key Ballet Flats. 7. Memento Mori The Ballet Slippers Necklace. 8. J.Crew Martinete Feather Jacket. 9. Pretty Ballerinas' Marilyn Black Suede Tutu Ballet Flats. 10. Alice + Olivia Feather Shoulders Dress.

Images, Portman: Screencrave.com. Tan as Black Swan, Britannica.com. Billy Elliot Vogue spread, boysballet.wordpress.com. Gisele: csebastian.tumblr.com. 2007 cover: ofthenow.com. Lilly Cole in British Vogue, The Terrier and the Lobster. All product images, companies as attributed. 

SUPERMODEL SAVES THE DAY

It's a bird... It's a plane... It's... Linda! Linda Evangelista, that is. She's saving non-couture brands, one photo shoot at a time. Evangelista is the supermodel to the super stars - Prada, Hermes, Dolce & Gabbana, YSL, Chanel, Escada, Oscar de la Renta... oh yes, and Ann Taylor. In 2005, Evangelista was the face of the Ann Taylor makeover, and now, Talbots is seeking out her wattage to spare yet another bourgeoisie brand from the brink. It's a gorgeous campaign. Kuddos to Talbots' (and to Linda, who at 45, is actually the age of Talbots customers!).

Talbots, 2010

Ann Taylor, 2005

Prada, 2008

LOVING these new Talbots looks! Hope y'all have a fabulous weekend!

Images, Talbots, Ann Taylor, Fashionologie.

BANGLE BLITZKRIEG

Bring on the bold! I love bangles, and they're very NOW (official 2010 jewelry motto: the bigger the better). Here are a few of my favorite bangle classics...  ENJOY!

CHANEL

HENRI BENDEL

HERMES

COACH and KATE SPADE

Images, companies as attributed. Model picture, pics of models with bangles: angelofharlemfashion blog. 

GREEN, WHITE, BLACK, AND BEAUTIFUL

Browsing through the remaining Vogue Living, Aussie, that is, I came across this lovely room in green, black, and white. I love it! Black and white... serious. Green... fresh. Combined? Stunning. Enjoy some beautiful examples of the look below.

Vogue Living, designer Andrew Parr. Wicker gets a formal look - and a touch of animal print.

Chinoiserie style, via The Lennox blog. Very Fifth Avenue.

A touch of citron green makes everything bright, via Apartment Therapy.

Kelly Wearstler isn't scared of color. I'll bet color's scared of HER. Via Apartment Therapy.

Designer Carleton Varney a la Dorothy Draper, via A Shopkeeper's Blog. The green and raspberry looks a tad garish to me - probably because the black ceiling makes this room a tad TOO serious.

A little animal print livens the look, via Cottage Living.

Mirror, mirror on the table... via Decor Pad.

Stunning pattern with a bit of sunshine, Palm Beach style, via Elegance Redefined.

Love the lucite mirror! And I spy a West Elm headboard. Design by Ghislaine Vinas, via Bijou Kaleidoscope.

Wonderful mix of patterns - and check out those silver claws on the tub. Designer Greg Natale, via Your Decorating Hotline.

A switch on the look: black and white patterns, with solid greens. Designer Kenneth Brown, via Premium Home Design.

A conference room at Lego HQ! Via Porterhouse Designs.

Victorians at play... love the wallpaper, dressed down with textured, simple accessories. From Room Remix Blog.

From the HGTV show, Sarah's House, via BlueLabel Bungalow.

More chalk-black walls, via Your Decorating Hotline.

All images, as attributed.