To any true fashionista, Style.com is the word of God, or at least that of Candy Pratts Price. For those of you unfamiliar with the work of Price, she is the Anna Wintour of the Internet; what she says is the be all and end all. Check out her “Candy Cast” at Style.com.
In the tradition of Wintour, Price and Tracy Anchor-Hayes before me, here are my “Fashion on Campus Loves,” the things I love about the fashion world for a moment.
No “Fashion Loves” list would be complete without mentioning Nicolas Ghesquière, the man behind Balenciaga. More than just mini-motorcycle and city bags, Balenciaga has evolved into a genius visionary and true couture gone prêt-a-porte. Thank goodness Barneys New York has started carrying Balenciaga for men, not that many our age can afford it. Watch out for that winter semi-annual sale. If that fitted double-breasted jacket is still there in my size, and it will be because I am roughly the size of a 12-year-old girl, I’ll be the fat girl and that jacket will be double chocolate cake. If you get in my way, I may bite.
I love the heels for spring and summer 2008.Clunky and bizarre-shaped heels may be the hottest items from Paris fashion week. Miuccia Prada was ahead of the pack with those curved and broken pumps from last fall, and now with her new line for 2008, I guarantee everyone from Erin Wasson to Angie Barrett will have at least three to four pairs of these stellar stilettos. Girls: Get them while you can, because it is quite feasible Neimans and Barneys will sell out within the first month of fall.
Next on the list are clutch bags. Oversized, itsy-bitsy, metallic skins, Bottega- woven, Judith Leiber Swarovski lips, vintage Louis – I want them all! You can’t go wrong with a day-to-night, and patent leather is my favorite way to make that transition. Make sure to purchase that oversized anaconda clutch with woven mink. Skins are hot; I know python was hot a few years back, but skins never go out of style. And who can forget Price’s pick: a jewel-encrusted horoscope Chanel bag. It’s gorgeous but in no way practical.
Gray, gray, gray: A nice mid-tone gray is the color of the season. A sweet, chunky sweater with a pop of Hermés orange or YSL cerulean gives your outfit that “ooh, ahh!” factor. Paired with super-stilettos or a fish-skin flat is just the thing to put any ensemble over the top. If chunky isn’t for you, try the gray tailored suit- it makes any figure look slim and is a great classic addition to a college woman’s growing wardrobe. Remember to add a pop of color for effect.
My last pick for fall is the random frilly dress, not traditional ones, but rather those with interesting non-form fitting shapes. Pieced fabric flowing from every inch of a garment is so now and in your face. Fabulous tunics in chiffon and cotton jersey may not be for everyone, but on the runway, they were the “big belts” of this fashion season.
If you’re looking to see all these looks in one place, I love Fashion at the Park – you can watch sexy fashion-forward lines and then shop the shows. The über successful event was the hit of last spring, and this year promises to be even better. How could it not be with Valentino attending?
