Fashion Hookup

Keeping You Up On The Latest Fashions

Election Night Fashion

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With the election come and gone and Barack Obama the new President-elect, it’s obvious that the trendsetters in 2009 is the Obama family, with no less than 3 women to watch out for.

On their night of victory, all eyes were on the First Lady-elect in her Narciso Rodriguez red and black scoop neck dress which had fashionistas screaming for the fashion police. Its funny how one can be lauded as the new Jackie O one day then criticized for her “lapse in taste” the next.

Taken from the designer’s Spring 2009 collection, the dress had a black corset-like middle, which I agree, reminded me of a lava lamp. As said in the Telegraph:

Jeff Weinstein, a fine arts and culture critic was also not a fan.

“It was definitely a lava lamp look,’’ he told the paper, “with a volcanic nod to her hubby’s Hawaii.”

Though it isn’t a dress I would wear ( and I have to say, the cardigan made it look better on stage), I have to give the F.L.E credit for wearing something she obviously believes is her personal style. It showed confidence (no boring suits here!) and I love that she doesn’t use a stylist.

And the rest of the family? Here’s the report from the Associated Press:

Meanwhile, President-elect Barack Obama wore the same style dark-navy suit custom-made by Hart Schaffner Marx that he wore at the Democratic Convention, the company says. Hart Schaffner Marx makes its suits in the Obamas’ home state of Illinois.

The couple’s daughter Malia wore a red bubble-hem dress, and younger daughter Sasha wore a black dress with a bow.

A stylish family to watch in the White House….at last!!

Who Is More Stylish? Michelle Obama or Sarah Palin?

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Looking Smart in Valentino
Looking Smart in Valentino

With the U.S. election days just days away and the frenzy coming to an end, it’s a good time to ask the burning question of the campaign:

Who was more stylish? Michelle Obama or Sarah Palin?

Let’s start with the Alaskan Mom, whose recession-unfriendly shopping spree made headlines this week.

A mere three months ago, Sarah Palin was a nobody.  And indeed, the Lady Governor looked the part, as seen in this photo taken from a UK paper wherein Ms.Palin is dressed more like Rosanne Barr from the 80’s sitcom (and it seemed to suit her too).  It’s amazing what a bit of cash and a LOT of professional styling can do though, because by the time she was introduced at Mc Cain’s VP, in her smart black suit, red heels by Naughty Monkey, and “updo”, Ms.Palin decidedly had created her new Republican look, which was later perfected by Tina Fey. Add on her trademark glasses, peeptoes and earrings (be they indigenous Alaskan or hoop), and you had the Sarah Palin style, which, when more designer labels were thrown in, was elevated from “middle management” to CEO. But then again, whose look wouldn’t be upgraded with $150,000 spent at Neiman Marcus?

Michelle in a Carrie Bradshaw-inspired outfit?
Michelle in a Carrie Bradshaw-inspired outfit?

Michelle Obama, on the other hand, had, I believe, a better sense of style to begin with, even before all this election kaffuffle. The Havard grad declared that she likes online shopping for sensible brands like J Crew, and has even been likened to Jackie O (wow, that’s what I call the ultimate compliment), proving that you don’t need a huge budget to show your sense of style. Ms. Obama likes her outfits simple, sharp and put-together, as seen in her thigh high boots and slick coat ensemble she wore on her birthday in Las Vegas, prompting The New York Times to say that she “dresses to win”. And you know what’s the most surprising thing of all? No, not that she can pull of pearls without looking matronly like Barbara Bush, but that she apparently dresses on her own, without the use of a personal stylist.

Halloween 2008 Fashion Trends

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Halloween is upon us, and as everyone knows, the best thing about the spooky holiday is dressing up.

On the street,  fashion pundits are predicting that the trends for 2008 are the characters who stood out this year, mostly from t.v and film.

For the youngerlings, everyone’s favourite tween popstar, Hannah Montana; the High School Musical gang like Sharpay and Gabriella are strong favourites, meaning sparkly jeans, rhinestones, fringes and wigs are in order. Boys will likely be seen as The Joker, now immortalized in even scarier form by the late Heath Ledger in “The Dark Knight”.  Star Wars costumes are what I would call “classic”, but even more so with the release of the Clone Wars cartoon this year, we’re sure to spot more than a few Darth Vaders, Storm Troopers, and Jedis.

Current “in” personalities like the presidential hopefuls and Sarah Palin (who can forget Tina Fey and Palin in SNL?) are likely to be seen roaming the streets and parties this Halloween season, which I have to admit, I’ll be looking forward to! Olympic costumes should also be trendy, with swimming attire and medals ala Michael Phelps, which hopefully wont send the wearer home with a cold.

On the runway, its nice to see Brit handbag lady Anya Hindwitch (I mean, March) get into the spirit with her weeklong Halloween Extravaganza at her stores. What a great marketing move! Another great reason for me to head straight for her shops!

According to Vogue:

“…To get you in the spooky mood, the designer’s stores – as well as online boutique – will be hosting a week-long Trick or Treat extravaganza where, if you pick a treat from Anya Hindwitch’s Trick or Treat bag, you could end up winning yourself a clutch, purse, key ring or even a bag from the autumn/winter 2008-9 collection.

Pick a trick, however, and it’s a forfeit for you – in the shape of sinister stickers and jelly brain and lucky bone sweets. Do you dare?..”

The New Depression-Era Look

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D & G Spring 2009
D & G Spring 2009

With the world in economic turmoil, the buzzwords these days of “bailout”, “recession”, “credit crunch”, “cost conscious” and so on, have now also hit the fashion world. The look is very much reminiscent of the depression era of the 30’s – tweeds, hats, waistcoats and grey, grey, grey, which is actually perfect for the autumn. Watch out for it in the high street shops like the Gap and H & M.

Also getting into the depression-era look, but not quite slumming it was D & G’s Spring 2009 collection which had the models decked in Deauville-inspired nautical pieces paired with modern touches like platforms and fishnets, strutting to the tune of “La Vie en Rose”.

And in Paris, where collections wrapped up just last week, talk of seriously slumping retail sales made everyone nervous, as reported by the associated press:

“Honestly, we don’t know. It’s all a big guessing game,” said Ronald L. Frasch, president and chief merchandising officer for Saks Inc. The executive described the economic crisis affecting the North American retail sector as “maybe the worst I’ve ever seen.”

“Clearly, the ones who are in the best position are the ones who have the strongest brand names. The ones who have the most difficulty are the ones who are either beginning to develop or trying to get their goods onto the market,” Frasch said.

Popular items were the swimsuit-wrap dresses by Jean Paul Gaultier – two designer peices for the price of one!

Donna Karan’s Zodiac Bags: Do We Want One?

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The Modern Leo Large Tote

Has Donna Karan shown her creative flair, taking a chance in what could very well be a naff concept, turning it into something on every gal’s “I Gotta Have it!” list? or is it an attempt to salvage her handbag reputation by this “astrological” marketing cliche?

The Zodiac collection, which features, yes, bags inspired by the signs of the Zodiac were unveiled by the designer as part of her pre fall collection, which came out in June.

As Karan said in a WWD report:

“It makes sense — I live by astrology….I am a Libra. I can’t make up my mind. We never find a balance. We like it all.”

Picking up a Virgo handbag, she said, “I need a Virgo around me. Libras always need Virgos. My husband [the late Stephan Weiss] was a Virgo.”

“The challenge was, would I wear this bag? These I would,” she said and, pointing to a large shopper, added, “You know I will be carrying this for the rest of my life.”

The bags, which are now available online for around £1,300 or $ 2,500 at places like Net a Porter certainly don’t come at a cheap price, and now, several months on after its debut, it can be said that, in spite of their somewhat novel concept,  the bags have not arrived at the ” so last season” list just yet.

For Virgos like me, there are two models to choose from, the Modern Virgo North/South or East/West totes in waxed vachetta, which gives it a chic, weathered look.  Personally though, I prefer the Leo tote in shrunken lamb pictured above.

If you visit the Donna Karan website, you’ll find only some of the zodiac signs represented – Leo, Aries, Scorpio, Libra, Pisces, Virgo and the evening star (lovely roll clutches). Some of which, like Leo, have more than one design. You’d think they’d make one for the Taureans at least, as they’re known to have a weak spot for indulging in luxe items like these.

And lastly, I have to say that these new-fangled “exotic” names just don’t get me excited.

Shiny goat? French bull? Shrunken lamb? hmmmm….. Besides from sounding very un-Peta friendly, they remind me more of the menu of a restaurant trying too hard make ordinary dishes sound posh.