Les Trompe L'Oeil de CHANEL Temporary Tattoo

images: chanel

How fabulous is this limited edition collection of CHANEL temporary tattoos? Only for the truly Luxury Obsessed.

From the CHANEL website:

Fifty-five exclusive temporary tattoos in all, originally hand-drawn by Peter Philips, Global Creative Director of CHANEL Makeup, for the Spring-Summer 2010 Fashion Show in Paris. Artful images of CHANEL symbols and icons, including Oriental cherry blossoms and birds, can be mixed and matched for unlimited effects.

Available for $75 USD for a limited time only here.

Hermès Kelly Double Tour Bracelet

I am finally 'fessing up to the shopping I did in St. Barths. It was our last day in town and I convinced Eric to stroll the Luxury shopping corridor. Of course, I popped into Hermès and discovered the latest version of the Hermès Kelly Double Tour bracelet in Ombre Lizard. I love the neutral, go-with-everything, exotic skin with Palladium hardware.

Express Color

Without a doubt, I am under the influence of the Bottega Veneta Spring/Summer 2010 Men's collection. All I want is color. Bright color.

I found these shirts at Express in two hot Summer shades: Cassis and Magenta. I plan on wearing them with Khaki, Olive or Dark Denim pants.

Tie Dye To Die For

images: gq.com

While I am completely in love with these Bottega Veneta tie-dyed Spring/Summer 2010 runway scarves with their rich hippie vibe in delicate cashmere and silk, I can also appreciate a cheap alternative. We were visiting Eric's parents in Florida recently and the weather was just dreadful. So, the best alternative to the pool? The mall. We stumbled into Express where I spotted this colorful Women's scarf piled high in a lucite box on sale for $19.50 USD. All rayon and not as exquisite as the Bottega Veneta version, but nice enough for the few times I will wear it this Spring.

Monday Outfit: Shades of Blue

I wore a Prada Navy double breasted wool officer's coat, J. Crew Navy cashmere sweater, Uniqlo dark denim skinny jeans, Buttero Black boots, Dries Van Noten Black belt, Sermoneta Indigo gloves, Hermès Indigo Cashmere Losange and Hermès Black Fjord HAC.

Bottega Veneta V-Neck Fever

images: gq.com

Color ruled the Spring/Summer 2010 Bottega Veneta Men's runway and it was the most influential show of the season. In a shade so hot, Tomas Maier dubbed it "Fever", this sexy v-neck tee in lustrous viscose jersey had to be mine. I love the unique sexy neckline detail. I see this with Olive cotton pants, an equally bright Magenta sweater and a Navy cotton blazer. Now if the weather would just warm up.

Alexander McQueen Puma

image: puma

I had been searching for these Alexander McQueen Pumas for months and I finally found them in my size, on sale no less. But when they sadly arrived on the very day Lee McQueen was discovered dead after taking his own life, I could not summon any joy.

One To Watch: Stephan Schneider

Stephan Schneider Spring Summer 2010
image: stephanschneider.be

German born designer Stephan Schneider, a 1994 graduate of The Royal Academy of Fine Arts, Antwerp, Belgium, alma mater of iconic designers Ann Demeulemeester and Dries Van Noten, spends as much time developing his textiles as his patterns. His designs are quiet and modern with an American Preppy sensibility. I have viewed his collections on his website here, but I have yet to see his clothes in the US. Hopefully soon.

Hermès Plume

For Allan.

When it comes to Hermès, one immediately references the Birkin and Kelly, the two iconic bags that define the house. However, perhaps the most overlooked and underrated bag is the Plume, so named because in its original incarnation as a blanket carrier, it was purported to be light as a feather. Presently, there are several iterations for both men and women, including my Plume 40, Porte Document, the largest size not considered a travel bag.

This Hermès Plume is hand stitched in Black Vache Fjord, a tough, deeply textured cowhide which has the subtle sparkle of asphalt. Fjord is an all weather scratch-resistant skin, which can withstand years of abuse from rain, snow and urban life. Measuring 40cm x 26cm x 15cm, it is the perfect size for toting a laptop, files, or in my case, all I require for the day, including gym gear.

The incredible attention to detail is particularly evident in the handles and the manner in which they are joined to the Palladium hardware rings which are attached to the bag with signature Plume "diamonds". Conveniently, these handles fold down, making the bag easier to store. The zipper pull matches the tabs on either end of the bag. The teeth of the zipper are polished so that there are no sharp edges and the interior of the zipper is lined in Fjord to prevent it from catching on the contents. The interior features a base lined in Fjord and side panels in Chevre (goatskin) with two gusseted pockets, perfect for keys, wallet and smart phone and a flat pocket for receipts or thinner items. And last but not least, Palladium feet to protect the base.

Perfection simplified.

Masses of Maison Martin Marigiela

images: 1stdibs.com

Now that word is official that Martin Margiela has left his eponymous label, the collectors will surely be out in force. Resurrection's 20 Years of Maison Martin Margiela will feature an unprecedented 300 unworn garments from the Marcia Berger collection. The sale will run from February 13 - March 31, 2010 and will feature 40 unique garments from the one-of-a-kind Artisanal line.

See the astounding collection here.

My Alexander McQueen

While mourning the tragic loss of Lee McQueen, I realized that I never got around to posting this scarf, which I purchased a few weeks ago. My sincerest sympathy to Lee McQueen's family and friends. May he rest in peace.

I wore my Alexander McQueen scarf in Burgundy/Black that I wrote about here more than I expected to this Fall/Winter, so I thought I should take a peek at the colorways for Spring/Summer 2010. Lightweight and easy to wear, I fell for this Navy/Bordeaux as I ease into a little more color in the warmer weather.

Available at Alexander McQueen NYC.

Farewell Lee Alexander McQueen (1969 - 2010)

image: getty images

Fear No More

Fear no more the heat o' the sun,
Nor the furious winter's rages;
Thou thy worldly task hast done,
Home art gone, and ta'en thy wages;
Golden lads and girls all must,
As chimney-sweepers, come to dust.

Fear no more the frown o' the great;
Thou art past the tyrant's stroke:
Care no more to clothe and eat;
To thee the reed is as the oak:
The sceptre, learning, physic, must
All follow this, and come to dust.

Fear no more the lightning-flash,
Nor the all-dreaded thunder-stone;
Fear not slander, censure rash;
Thou hast finished joy and moan;
All lovers young, all lovers must
Consign to thee, and come to dust.

From Shakespeare's Cymbeline

Better Buttero Boots at Barneys

image: barneys.com

I featured a pair of Buttero Boots at Barneys NY for Fall '09 that I never purchased. I hate to admit it, but I am sure that part of what held me back is that, though they are made in Italy, they aren't quite a "designer label".

Looks like I've been given a second chance and I like these new boots in hand finished distressed Black leather/suede even more. Made with incredible attention to detail, they feature a 1 1/2" stacked heal complete with subtle Vibram tread soles and leather laces. The rounded toe box and slim profile lends them a rugged military elegance that will carry me through Fall '10. The higher shaft works great with tucked skinny jeans. The side zip detail makes them incredibly easy to put on and take off. Perfect everyday, everywhere boots.

They do run about one full size large (i.e. if you wear a 9US, order an 8US) if you order them from Barneys here.

+J Spring Summer 2010: Design Trousers

These two pairs of cotton jean style pants with a few extra patch pockets are called Design Trousers. All I know is that they fit amazing and are super lightweight, so perfect for casual Summer days and nights. I wore them a lot in St. Barths, take a look here.

+J Spring Summer 2010: Sweaters

All the sweaters I took home from +J Spring Summer 2010 are 85% cotton and 15% cashmere in a very lightweight fine gauge knit. Prices range from $39.50 for the v-necks to $49.50 for the cardigan and zip hoodie. I am really into Magenta this season.

Monday Outfit: Black

Well, we're back in NYC and what else to wear but Black. I'm wearing a Rick Owens Black silk/rayon ribbed long sleeve knit, Gaultier Black ribbed wool cardigan, Rag and Bone Black wool topcoat, Uniqlo Black skinny jeans, Common Projects Black lace-up boots, Louis Vuitton Leopard Stephen Sprouse stole and an Hermès Black Fjord Plume.

+J: Spring Summer 2010: Suits

I'm finally getting around to presenting my loot from the Uniqlo +J Spring/Summer 2010 collection. I am happy to say that the suits are still a fantastic buy. I got two classic slim suits. A Khaki suit in 50% cotton/50% polyester (with thankfully no sheen) and a Navy tropical weight wool/mohair suit. Both are single breasted, single vented, half lined with slim flat front pants. The pieces were sold separately, but the Khaki suit was $179 USD and the Navy suit was $209 USD. The jackets fit me perfectly off the rack and the pants only required a complimentary hem. These will be warm weather dress staples for years to come.