Haute Child update

True life Haute Child in the city!
Stopped on the street for a style snapshot!
Check it out!
http://needleplusthread.blogspot.com/2009/07/black-on-black-kennedy-ndp-downtown.html

Plus a runway shot of Izzie!

photo by Joseph Trujillo

Intelligence + Beauty = MObama

Someone said to me the other day, "I see you're working your Michelle Obama today." I gave my furrowed brow expression many know and asked, "What are you talking about?" She said, "look at yourself... belt, arms, cardigan- gotta love her!" Well this is very true our 44th first lady is quite the style icon for this generation. She's mixing contemporary with couture with the utmost amount of class. I took the arms comment as a compliment because this woman has some guns that look great with the sleeveless ensembles she has chosen for various occasions. Its amazing how non-fashion media outlets were "up in arms" about the First Lady's style choices. Personally, I find it refreshing and a bit different than the middle age look with pearls. Michelle knows how to use staple pieces like a belt, or even something as simple as gloves. She is definitely on the top of the charts to see her next classic outfit with a twist, but her style is only one small facet of this amazing woman's repertoire. I mean Harvard and Princeton are her alma maters. Plus, she is raising the most recent young generation in the White House. Michelle is a go to woman not only for her husband's State of the Union address but for a enlightening look at a woman who is revamping classic American style with out even knowing it. Talk about a powerhouse with brains, family, career AND style icon status! Gotta love her!

Desirs: a pair of booties for Fall

Booties. Such a funny name, not booty but the short ankle boot. Such a haute commodity, who would of thought the shoe of Laura Ingalls could be injected with couture and a heel? Fall '08 was all about the riding boot and platforms of all sorts making statements. Then spring graduation brought on the gladiator that has been the go to shoe for these hot summer nights. Now, Fall '09 will be dominated by the cutout bootie. Designers like Giuseppe Lanotti and Joie definitely know the perfect blend of boot plus toe cleavage. As always we can always pay homage to YSL who definitely started off the trend with the infamous birdcage booties. For all of us dying for some sort of edge to our going out attire, what an easy way, when worn right. The cutout bootie is making strides for the "it" girls to the girls trying to kick it with the guys. It is definitely a must have to go along with your leather item of the season. Whether your pair is black, gold, strappy, stilletto heel or a zipper in back, make sure you can strut in your booties and go somewhere to dance your own booty off all night long.

It's a Haute Affair: Designer Preview Fall '09

I just previewed the samples from Marc, Chanel, Oscar, Nina and many more designers' fall collections who put the haute in couture. Who gets to say that? I am so fortunate to have worked behind the scenes at the hottest runway show in the Northwest this evening and had the task of helping the lovely Izzie in and out of all her runway styles. Izzie and many of the other models were flown in from LA and surrounding areas. (Honorable mentions include Eugenia from Cycle 7 of ANTM and Jonathan from Make Me a Supermodel) Her professionalism was awe-inspiring and she said "she likes getting a taste of all different designers," and has been modeling full time for about 4 years. Izzie's favorite outfit she wore on the cat walk was a plum Nina Ricci dress with a cinched waist. I liked her in the classic Missoni ensemble she opened in. I was like a little kid waiting in line for Santa, so excited and honored to see all the samples. Not only were there the clothes, but the couture houses even sent the shoes and bags to match! Nothing like a 7 inch Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche heel. In comparision the Elizabeth & James booties seemed to be a runway 'shoe of the moment', major props to MK & A Olsen who are becoming quite the couture queens. The show was amazing. As in all fashion shows the stress level was at an all time high taping shoes and prepping racks for models. This is until the actual 30 minutes of the runway time has passed and then its back to vendorizing. I get such an electrifying rush being backstage and sending my model out onto the runway. Some find that very ironic since it is such a circus backstage with models posing for their own pictures, hair & makeup and the lineup, but I absolutely love it! Haute trends for fall: puffy and bold color jackets, thigh high boots by Chanel, glammed up trapeze tops, studded pants and the color plum. Can't wait!

Izzie in Missoni. Haute Child in Eci and BCBG Maxazria (2009)

Fresh & Fabulous part I

We all may wish upon shooting stars, but fortunately for Carmen who just recently signed a contract with a fashion powerhouse in NYC. Rising star seems to be the only words describing her up and coming career. Can I say versatility? I first met her backstage at a small fashion show for a college magazine and liked her shoots featured in the magazine but recently Carmen is kicking it into full gear. She has a look and is working it to her gain. I must admit I was in full shock and awe after seeing her latest shoot with photographer Irene Mahmud who showcased Carmen in Taj Cottage's bridal fashions. Gorgeous! I love anything with a Bollywood twist and Carmen is reminiscent of the world renowned beauty Aishwaryra Wai. All I know is that look out fashion world, this girl hasn't hit 20 yet and she is a definite model to keep an eye out for!


photographer: irene mahmud, model: carmen @ ford, wardrobe: taj cottage

From Hogwarts to Haute Ad Campaigns

In tribute to the lastest box-office sensation Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. Gryffindor's leading lady has grown up and become quite the inspiration for many young aspiring actresses and fashionistas. Everyone first met young Emma Watson as Hermione Granger in Harry Potter. After movies 1 and 2, she became a household name. Now Emma isn't your classic Hollywood starlet of this generation, she isn't making headlines on page 6 of The New York Post, nor being sent away for "exhaustion". She is a talented young woman who has helped her character transform better than anyone thought from print to the screen. Now Emma can be seen as the fresh and fierce new face for Burberry. Who wouldn't love to graduate high school and move on as the forerunner for an iconic British fashion line. Her presence is transcontinental and not forgetting to mention she's quoted on saying, "she just wants to live a normal life." Well Emma, I don't know if having a multi-million dollar deal with a high fashion label and a coveted for movie contract for one of the highest grossing film sagas in history is anything a conventional 19 year old would be involved with, but it sure is fabulous. I think Hermione is far from casting her last spell and thats many more Alohomora for Emma in the future!

Les Mannequins

Models. They get to have fun. The hottest invitations, clothes and gorgeous shoot locations. We do know there is a not so glamorous side with exhausting schedules, demanding agencies and tabloid pictures of some participating in illegal activities. Looking at the broad- spectrum, modeling is one of a kind career that is as a far from individualistic as one can do. They provide their faces and bodies to make pieces become “hits”. Imagine the pressure of trying to fit the seam as an iconic muse for a couture designer. As in many career paths there is the shades of cool, but in modeling it seems to vary within shades of glitz and glam.

The Fash Pack:

~ Doetzen Kroes;
I don’t think I’ve ever shouted “Gimme More” to the Netherlands, until this siren launched multiple ad campaigns and is becoming designer’s next go to girl. Did I mention this past figure skater knows how to break a sweat? Twice a day workouts for this Victoria’s Secret angel who is also dating the infamous DJ Ruckus. Doetzen can consistently be found out on the town looking toned and haute in the legendary Herve Leger band dress. She is definitely my new favorite model who owns her curves and feels that, “ compared with all the other girls… I have big thighs.”(Vogue) but continues to climbs Forbes highest paid models. Get it girl!


~ Lakshmi Menon;
The emerging Indian beauty of the unforgettable Hermès ad with painted Elephants; not only emphasized Lakshmi’s versatility in different environments but showcased her stunning natural beauty. Now a frequent cover girl for French L’Officiel and Indian Vogue. The ad campaigns are adding up and this newcomer is ready to take on more than New York Fashion Week. Luckily for Lakshmi New York, nor Vogue can’t seem to get enough of her and deemed her as 2008 “This Year’s Model”, but I think she’s just begun.


~Jessica Stam;
It seems as if we’ve known her since the days of Naomi and Cindy, but Jessica Stam was just a wee girl in Canada. Fortunately, she won’t being going anywhere anytime soon since her discovery in a local doughnut shop in 2001. Appearing on numerous Italian Vogue covers after Steven Meisel made her his muse at age 16. What I like even better about Stam is she is this generation’s model to the max taking ad campaign’s from veterans and befriending the cool kids of Hollywood's elite. She’s dated everyone from Anthony Kiedis to Malcom Ford. I like her style on and off the runway, her presence is transcontinental. What can I say? I like a girl who is just “livin’ her life.”




Picture credits: Gap Ad by Inez Van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin (2008), Pirelli Calendar by Patrick Demarchelier (2008).