Style Icon: Jeanne Damas

As an avid admirer of Parisian street style, I really felt like I had won the lottery when I first saw Jeanne Damas on Garance Dore's blog. Damas is the archetypal French Cool Girl, her style is an artfully mussed up laissez faire affair! Think leather jackets, espadrilles, over sized blazers, worn in vintage tees and army jackets. Regardless of the tomboy mix of pieces she always adds a feminine element to her look, be it a bare leg, a heeled sandal or her go to blood red lip. Her gorgeous face, hair and figure don't hurt either! To get a little Parisian Cool Girl look in your life check out this great army jacket from TOPSHOP, you can find Jeanne's exact Bella Freud 1970 sweater here at SHOPBOP and get your hands on my favorite French striped tee's at A.P.C. C'est tout chic! CM XO

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MUST HAVE: OVERALLS

I recently shocked myself when I began to crave the need for overalls in my life, then I came to the realization that they have been slowly seeping into my fashion subconscious via various channels for quite a while; the Alexa Chung for AG collection (which can be found here) includes the most divine cropped slim fitting dungaree that lends itself to a more dressy occasion and one of my favorite places to shop, Madewell is also having a love affair with all things dungarees (see here). I have to admit the overall can be a little tricky to pull off, the main thing to remember is to avoid pairing them with anything too work wear inspired. Balance the boyishness of the overall with a cleaner and more feminine element. Alexa Chung gets it just right by combining the Americana of the denim overall with her European chic ankle tie espadrille and oversize tortoiseshell sunglasses, j'adore! x

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THE REVISIT: FLARES

Now I am a proud wearer of all things pants; Audrey H cropped, Katherine H wide, and the Diane K pleated chino. However sometimes one needs to revisit that mildly controversial pant silhouette, the one that divides all pants wearers to the end, THE FLARE. I have written about flares before on this very blog, but I recently became aware of a trend setting flare wearer that has compelled me to refresh my approach. Fashion Director of Porter Magazine, Gabriele Hackworthy, has long been a devoted wearer of the subversive flare. The key to her successful relationship with them is that she keeps it simple. The pants are black, the layering light. Think a navy double breasted blazer and white tee, or a clean white shirt and solid black fringed cape (beautifully bringing in a little more bohemian influence to her look-see above). Hackworthy ALWAYS wears her black bell's with vertiginous heels and these are a must. Unless you are Karlie Kloss and 7ft tall NEVER sport a flat with a flare! I have found the perfect Gabriele-esque leg lengthening pair for only $50 here www.hm.com. They are such a bargain grab them PRONTO! x

Photo from Twitter @GabHackworthy

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Is this fur real?!

I am having a fashion crisis! Normally when it comes to my thoughts on particular trends I am pretty black and white; flatforms? LOATHE metallics in the daytime? LOVE etc etc...but when it comes to 'faux' (fun) fur I remain on the fashion fence. When the trend first emerged via the faux fur designer du jour British brand 'Shrimps' I chuckled and openly mocked its intentions. But I must confess as I see these colorful and rather huge fluffy coats being sported in different ways (see Alexa above wearing her Shrimps coat in weekend relaxed mode with a hoodie and jeans) I feel a pang of jealousy towards the wearer and wonder if I am missing out!!! I hate to admit to myself that unless you are a)6ft tall b)a size 0-2 or c)a MAW (model, actress-whatever!) then you should probably stay clear of this trend. BUT you can embrace the faux fur fever by grabbing a furry friendly clutch like this one here and here. Have fun with it whatever you do! It sure is a good trend for that! xo

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PROUD TO BE A TOMBOY

If you read this blog its safe to say that you know I am a true tomboy when it comes to my personal style. Since that fateful day when I turned seven years old and my mother handed over the responsibility of dressing myself, my closet has predominantly comprised of striped tee's, button downs and crew neck sweaters. So imagine my joy when I discovered the truly inspiring fashion book 'Tomboy Style'  by Lizzie Garret Mettler at the Clare Vivier store in Silver Lake. I devoured the pages filled with both photographic and written tributes to various tomboy style tribes be it 'The Adventurer' tomboy or 'The Girl Next Door'. All of my style favorites made it into the book; Diane Keaton, Lauren Hutton and Ali MacGraw to name but a few. What I truly loved about this book was not only is it an homage of some of the most fabulous style icons throughout history but it is also a celebration of women's spirit and aesthetic identity in society over the years. How much I admire those brazen young women who strutted into Brooks Brothers in the 1940's to buy their blue button down men's oxford shirts. I take my tomboy hat off to them for their rejection of  girdles and high waist skirts and their embracing of the far more practical loafer and pant; all trademarks of tomboy style. Not only did it give these women aesthetic experimentation but enabled them to live freer and with increased practicality. If anyone tells you that fashion trends don't have substance and depth send them this book, this proud tomboy says its a must read.

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STYLE ICON: CAROLYN BESSETTE KENNEDY

Before the current queens of minimalism and classic American style Sofia Coppola and Gwyneth Paltrow reigned there was a member of 'American's Royal Family' Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, that held the throne. When she began to date JFK Jr her white blond mane contrasted with a scarlet red lip and lithe figure gave her such a striking presence that the fashion world sat up and took notice. A fan of simple and classic dressing, Carolyn's love of slim cut ankle grazing pants and white buttons down's paid homage to Audrey Hepburn with but with her own contemporary New York twist. A lover of Calvin Klein and Narciso Rodriguez, on the streets of Manhattan you would likely find her wearing a camel cashmere winter coat over a black roll neck, dark cropped jeans and a black leather loafer. At night she would be seen in either head to toe white or black, no prints or colors in sight. Carolyn was not a fan of accessorizing, her only adornments were her wedding ring and a classic Cartier watch but with that hair, figure and scarlet red lip who needs jewelry? I find Carolyn's pictures to be a never ending source of style inspiration and a reminder to not be a slave to trends, her style looks just as current now as it did back in the 1990's. It goes to show that it is worth investing in classic well made pieces that stand the test of time. To see more photos of CBK take a look here.

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EMERGING STYLE ICON: GEORGIA JAGGER

Its no surprise that the offspring of the original glamazon Jerry Hall and rock god Mick Jagger is strikingly beautiful; and in the modelling scene Georgia Jagger is currently giving the Cara's and Kate's a run for their money! Her Brigitte Bardot-esque features and laissez faire attitude are currently advertising brands such Rimmel and Hudson to name but a few. There is no doubt in my mind that Georgia will be around for a long time to come!

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STYLE ICON: GRACE CODDINGTON

I have just completed Grace Coddington's autobiography titled 'Grace' and wow what a wonderfully satisfying read. Her life and work in fashion is so beautifully documented in the book and I couldn't recommend it more. For lovers of fashion and those who want an inside look into the world of Vogue magazine and its photographers/editors, an understanding of Anna Wintour's icy demeanor and of course an insight into Grace's personal life and creative process (which are fascinatingly tightly interwoven)  you must read this book ASAP!

MODEL OF THE MOMENT: SUKI WATERHOUSE

I know everyone is talking about Cara Delevigne right now as THE model of the moment (aka MOTM for those in the know) but I think that fellow Brit Suki Waterhouse is a face to watch. She has all of the requirements needed to reach It Girl/MOTM status; a movie star boyfriend, a London cool girl sensibility (she is seen at all of the right places in the capital) and her very own aesthetic of Mod 1960's meets Godard heroine. Bangs, winged eyeliner, a mini beehive and lots of knee high socks is grabbing all of the right kinds of attention in the British fashion community, its only a matter of time before the US sits up and takes notice! Watch this space....

STYLE STAR: EMMA STONE

Emma Stone's style star continues to shine and her appearance at the 2013 Elle Women in Film awards was blinding. I am head over heels for her magenta Valentino Resort 2013  dress; the femininity and frothiness of the pink chiffon is beautifully balanced by the clean preppiness of the dresses' stark white collar and cuffs. The dress is divine and so is Miss Stone.

BEST DRESSED: Leighton Meester in Prada

I must confess that I used to keep my eye on Leighton and her fashion choices but as my love for Gossip Girl has waned, so has my awareness of Leighton, HOWEVER, I could not overlook this sublime Prada number, which in unexpected and unusual but just WORKS. Who would have thought that red and nude satin and lemon yellow chiffon would come together in such a chic and elegant way?! The dresses' knee length chiffon pleats, plunging neckline and knot shoulders create such an elegant silhouette and I particularly love her choice to keep her accessories and hair and make-up simple; a barely there bracelet, nude pumps, red bag, dewy skin and a bold red lip. Bravo Leighton, Bravo! x

THE DRESS, THE BAG, THE SHOE-THIS GIRL HAS IT ALL!

Oh Alexa, when will you cease to turn me green with jealousy with your ever increasing closet. Not only are you sporting the must have shoe of the season (the Miu Miu's Glitter boot that I fawned over in a previous post) but you are also wearing the coolest dress in the stores right now, the Rebecca Taylor Ghost dress. It is perfectly girlish with its heart shaped cut out neckline, but what I love is that the sweetness is offset with the dresses' ghost and ghouls print- just in time for Halloween. Who needs a costume when you have this dress! Find the dress here at www.rebeccataylor.com

ONE TO WATCH: Chloe Moretz

Can you believe that Chloe Moretz, seen above at the Veuve Clicquot polo event in Sussex this weekend, is only 14 years old. Yes you read it correctly, 14. I can not deny that her monochrome look is spot on trend and wowed the polo crowd, but I can't help feeling uncomfortable with the fact that Miss Moretzs' grown up and stylish appearance belies her age to such an extreme. Her choice of  Giambattista Valli pleated cropped pants, tight cream tank, straw boater and nude heels may have been better suited to a women in her 20's and early 30's than a girl of 14. That being said, Chloe clearly is a clothes horse in training and I look forward to seeing her sartorial choices in the future!

CRAZY FOR CAT EYES

In LA there is rarely a day that goes by that sunglasses are not required and for the last four or so years I have worn nothing but Ray Bans. I own the classic gold rimmed aviator, a vintage tortoiseshell Wayfarer (thanks Mum) and a black modern mid size Wayfarer. But I must confess, as much as I love these old faithfuls I am getting a little tired of them. Only the other day I was chatting to a fashion photographer friend of mine who has irritatingly exquisite taste, and he brazenly declared 'Ray Bans are over, we need to find something new'. And he was right. After years of wearing unisex Ray Bans I am craving a more feminine silhouette, and one in particular is the cat eye (see above on New York fashion maven Olivia Palermo). Prada kick started the rejuvenation of the cat eye trend and I for one am embracing them wholeheartedly. There is something very flattering about the upturned angle of the cat eye shape, its uplifting, rather like an immediate mini facelift via sunglasses wearing! Who wouldn't want that!? Find at www.netaporter.com

STYLE ICON: LAUREN HUTTON

Noted as a muse by designers of all generations (from Mr Armani to the Olsen's), at 67  Lauren Hutton is showing no signs of slowing down. Not only is she the face of J Crew's latest collection and The Row, you can also regularly find her toting her wares on HSN (laurenhutton.com). For me Lauren is an inspiration as her main preoccupation when getting dressed is comfort; you will never see her tottering around on a pair of vertiginous heels or being rushed to the ER a la Joan Collins because 'her corset is too tight'. You are much more likely to find Ms Hutton in a beautifully cut pantsuit, a white tee and a pair of pristine plimsolls or flats.  Ms Hutton, you are my kind of gal. x

ARE YOU AS COOL AS CHLOE?

Hello all, as you know a large percentage of my working life is spent in stores and showrooms and I am constantly exposed to all of the newest labels. One line that seems to be expanding and emerging at exceptional speed is Opening Ceremony's in house collection. Their guest designer Chloe Sevigny's line is also picking up momentum and I have been finding it in several stores. Barney's CO-OP has a particularly large selection which is rather impressive! The dresses are a little overpriced in regards to their quality at around $400 but the shoes are what stand out to me. The wood soled 'flatform' boots and her black 1960's inspired ankle boots (see both above) are comfortable, well made and so on trend. Highly recommend, check them out at http://www.openingceremony.us/