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
DO YOU DARE TO FLARE?
I am particularly excited by the resurgence of the bell bottom but it is all too easy to get the look horribly wrong and resemble an extra from Boogie Nights! My rules when going for the flared look is keep the denim a mid blue (see Dakota Fanning in Elizabeth and James Jimi Bell Bottoms), with a high rise and wear them long with a stacked boot or a 70's inspired wedge (inspired being the operative word here ladies!). On the top half of your body you can't go wrong with a white tee but also consider a tucked in and collared silk Equipment blouse. In regards to your outer layer, flares look particularly great with a belted trench. They are also a great denim silhouette for a curvier girl as they balance out the hips and bust, just please make sure you wear with a heel, flats and flares do not a good match make! Find at www.shopbop.com x
SUBLIME SWEATERS
I am thrilled that sweaters are so in vogue right now, when I dress myself comfort is key and there is nothing better than a cozy sweater to warm me up and keep me happy. Sweaters are incredibly versatile and can be dressed up or down; I wear mine constantly over a flared and flirty floral vintage dress, my leather shorts or a mini skater skirt.When reaching for your sweater this January keep a few things in mind; cable knits are great (see above on Rachel Bilson) and super chic but if you are blessed with a generous bosom, steer clear of them, you don't need the added bulk. Keep your sweater round necked and slim fitting, I think over sized equals sloppy and should only be worn whilst sitting in front of the fire at home! Splash out on a cashmere or alpaca sweater, but choose your colors wisely to make them practical investments; you can't go wrong with cream, black or grey. I am a huge fan of the sweaters at www.madewell.com and www.jcrew.com, their cuts are spot on and the price is right! Stay warm and ENJOY! X
MY NEW OBSESSION: FELICITY JONES
I was so impressed with Felicity Jones' enthralling performance in the independent film 'Like Crazy' that I can confidently declare that I think she is the next big thing; move over Carey, Keira and Sienna! Whilst promoting the film she has pulled out all of the fashion stops and has found a great look for her that just WORKS. Her Audrey-esque bangs and penchant for peter pan collars, full skirts and retro silhouettes keeps her look original, fashion forward and light years away from the typical Hollywood sex siren look. Rosie Huntingdon Whitely she is not and I love her for it, do you?!
SECRETS OF A STYLIST
Click on the link to read another article that I wrote for The Huffington Post! http://www.huffingtonpost.com/clare-mukherjee/secrets-of-a-stylist-how-_b_1026028.html
BAT FOR LASHES
Over the years mascara and I have had a rather tumultuous relationship; one day it will go on beautifully smooth and even and the next my lashes will be clumped and resemble spiders legs! I have tried varying brands from the must have classic Maybelline's Great Lash Mascara to the more recently hyped Cover Girl Lash Blast but I still haven't found the winning formula, that is until now. Ladies, I present to Lancome Hypnose Doll Lashes. I dare to declare that they have nailed the art of mascara and provide the road to doe eyed beauty. The brush is thin enough for precise application but is able to build the lashes and add volume. The lightweight formula lengthens beyond belief and separates the lashes exquisitely. Forget about Latisse and extravagantly priced lash extensions and run to your nearest beauty store and grab Hypnose Doll Lashes PRONTO!
PRINTS PLEASE!
Now if you are a regular reader you will know that I like to keep my style neutral and simple but sometimes I crave a little whimsy. Since MIU MIU's famous Spring 2010 season when we were launched into a fashion frenzy by its collection featuring cat and bird prints (see on Kirsten above), I have been yearning a piece of the action! This year Victoria By Victoria Beckham, Carolina Herrera and Altuzarra have all jumped on the fashion bandwagon with their collections heavily featuring cat and bird prints. This trend is clearly not going anywhere. If you are the daring sort, try a heavily detailed print dress like Kirsten's. I have found a fantastic and affordable option here: www.asos.com. Or if you are feeling timid about this trend why not try a bird or a cat print silky blouse like this one www.netaporter.com tucked into a pair of high waist jeans or a black skater skirt? Fun, fresh and bang on trend!
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
KATE THE GREAT
The fashionista filled front row gasped as Kate Moss walked onto the runway to close the Louis Vuitton ready to wear spring summer 2012 collection shown in Paris yesterday. Her white feathered mini dress was the perfect climax to a exceptionally theatrical show where we had seen models emerge from carousel horses sporting 50's silhouettes in varying pastel hues. Floral and feather accents on the clothing added to the bountiful femininity of the collection and as the last show of Paris Fashion Week, the Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton collection was the perfect send off. Au revoir!
HAPPY TO BE IN THE HUFF PO!
Hello readers! I am very happy to announce that my writing made it into the Huffington Post this week and was then picked up by the UK's Daily Mail (which just happens to be my favorite paper to read online OF ALL TIME!) here are the links if you want to read, it was all about my trials and tribulations as a stylist and helper of brides-to-be! xo http://www.huffingtonpost.com/clare-mukherjee/royal-wedding-bolero_b_980414.html
PALTROW LOOKS PERFECT IN PRADA
I must confess that I generally find Ms Paltrow rather irritating, what with her holier than thou approach to diet, fitness and parenting. However I can not deny that all of her hard work and dedication has paid off and she looked truly breathtaking in this drop waist peach Prada silk gown at the Deauville Film Festival opening night gala. Tasteful, timeless and so very elegant, Gywneths appearance was bordering on regal. Don't you agree?
MODERN CLASSICS: The Equipment Shirt
Back in the early 90's when I was 7 or 8 years old, my Mother's outfits often involved blouses of the silky variety. In subtle shades of ivory, blush pink and grey they seemed so feminine, grown up and womanly. The predominant blouse brand in the 80's and 90's was Equipment and last year the French company relaunched with a new CEO and have returned to the forefront of the fashion scene. Fashion editors and taste makers are professing their undying love for Equipment shirts and I couldn't agree with them more. They are practical, stylish and classic and look just as good with a pair of cropped pants and flats in the office as they do with a mini skirt and shoe boots at night. Find your nearest stockist at www.equipmentfr.com and start collecting them asap!
STYLE ICON: Hanneli Mustaparta
Model and blogger Hanneli Mustaparta truly does have some great taste. She documents her endless array of gorgeous on trend outfits in her blog and shines the spotlight on other stylish creatures. As a model she is constantly at Fashion Weeks across the globe and surrounded by MOD's (models off duty) and fashionista's, so it makes sense that her street style pics are choc-a -bloc with pics of gorgeous It girls and super hip celebs (Alexa, SJP etc). Take a look and get inspired at www.hanneli.com
CHIC IN THE CITY
I love love love Rosie's NYC look. She is fast becoming the queen of muted and laissez faire chic and I am truly impressed with how she has put this look together. I am green with envy over her light tan Chloe flats, sea-foam silk midi skirt, cream silk shell, tortoiseshell sunglasses, and last but not least her toned, tan midriff. Divine.
FASHION ALERT: The new 'IT' bag to grab!
Girls, big news in the bag world, there is a new bag that you simply have to have, the Mulberry Carter bag. This delightful bag comes in three sizes; the Mini Carter Camera bag (a perfectly small cross body bag) the Carter Camera bag (classic adjustable shoulder handbag straps) and the Carter Double Handle (see above on Kate). In Mulberry's words 'The Carter family is a luxurious, chic and new range focusing on glamorously modern details with a vintage twist' and that they certainly are. Their quality and finish is truly divine, the Croc Nappa Leather is simply gorgeous and the Carter bags have been made in practical muted tones, think soft grays, browns, navy and black. Now they are not cheap, they start at $1000 for the Mini and $1550 for the Double Handle but in order to justify purchasing one of these delectable bags I feel the need to retract my declaration that these are 'IT' bags, actually they are anything but, they are a new modern classic and should be considered an investment! You can find at www.mulberry.com
FOR THE BOYS: Mr Porter
Boys, chaps, guys, girlfriends, wives, are you aware of Mr Porter yet? If your answer is no then this must change immediately. It is a sophisticated new shopping website from the founders of Net a Porter that caters exclusively for men. It has a carefully curated selection of incredibly wearable clothing of varying cost (think affordable J Crew to the more pricey Zegna) for the modern and stylish working man. What I especially love about the site is that it features inspiring profiles of real men, which explores their personal style and highlights their specific picks from the site. Another interesting feature are the style aides such as the 'Wardrobe Manager', where you can peruse a list of essentials that all men should own each season. Its almost like having your very own knowledgeable and trustworthy style adviser! Take a look pronto at www.mrporter.com
COLOR CLASHING AND CONTROVERSY!
Emma Stones' appearance at the Friends With Benefits NYC premiere has been met with mixed reviews. Her Giambattista Valli red and pink color clash dress is either loved or loathed! I read one particular review that lambasted the actresses' high fashion choice and accused her of having no right to wear a dress that was designed only for 6ft models! Yes, the dresses' structure is somewhat unconventional and I can understand that the folded fabric adornments that rest on her hips could make some fashion fans nervous but I think Emma wears it exceptionally well. The nude Louboutins tone the outfit down somewhat and I applaud Stone and her stylist for not playing it safe on the red carpet. Bravo!
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
THE TOP KNOT
I hate looking like I have tried to hard when dressing up for the evening, there is nothing worse than feeling over done and too formal; it feels aging and old fashioned. I always admire Alexa Chung and Kate Bosworth's relaxed approach to beauty and swoon over their red carpet moments which tend to include lusted after designer dresses offset with natural, almost scruffy hair. One hairstyle that I am particularly loving right now and sporting regularly is the top knot. Playful, youthful and fun (see above on Aussie super Jess Hart) the top knot will give you that burst of fun to your night time look. It is so easy to achieve, all you need is a hair bobble (dear US readers, that's a hair tie!) and some dry shampoo. Spray hair with said dry shampoo, pull hair up high onto head, twist into a bun and wrap hair bobble around bun. Done. xo