All About Nina, All About Sleeves

In a sometimes sweltering city state, I'm frequently on the receiving end of "the raised eyebrow" when I opt for a long sleeve as my top of choice. The potential for perspiration be damned, I refuse to allow my less-than-toned upper arms to be my sartorial downfall. 

Thankfully, I have Nina Garcia in my style corner this fortnight!  She couldn't have dressed more appropriately for her starring role in a recent episode of Project Runway (Season 9).  For anyone familiar with the series, we've had to endure the annual 'Design for Heidi' challenge (which has morphed over the years into 'Help Heidi Design for her Line') that inevitably meant bodycon & short. Designing a day/night outfit for Nina was a proper challenge: the Marie Claire's fashion director wanted nothing too voluminous, no loud patterns, no loud colours, no cowl necklines, not boring... basically she wanted what any working woman wants!  Topping the episode off was Editor-in-Chief Joanna Coles armed with droned barbs worthy of The Devil Wears Prada. But I digress...

The star piece of the episode wasn't anything from the contestants runway.  Reverentially (grin), it was the Fall 2011 Preen blouse which Nina wore during her visit to the workroom (read: slaughterhouse). Technically this breaches Nina's loud colours requirement but it's a such clever way to wear bright orange to the office/cocktails, I'm willing to look past any potentially confusing signals she was sending to the contestants. 

 

A variation of Nina Garcia's Preen blouse is available now for £1,230.50 at Net-A-Porter. And for anyone who can't afford a fashion director's wardrobe, it's time to head to the Brother sewing room. 

{pc: gettyimages; tvguide; realitytea; netaporter}

Snooze/Lose: Fashion's Night Out T-Shirt

Blast these efforts to be more circumspect with my shopping!  I've deliberated on this printed long sleeved tee from this year's Fashion's Night Out collection for too long and all the small sizes are gone!  

Frustratingly, Shopbop seems the only online retailer carrying this piece (US$45) which also means enough people have bought (and worked their way through) Vogue's September issue, which featured it as their choice budget buy for the month.  

Maybe I could still get the 'Medium' and style it up as a t-shirt dress?  Plead with friends to scour the stores in the USA for alternative sizes?  More deliberation ensues... Cue: The cast of Glee doing David Bowie!  All we need are the Olsen twins to guest in a Glee fashion episode and the fun frivolous fantasy would be complete. 

 {source: tfs; fno}

Can't Cry Hard Enough

I finally caught Blue Valentine over the weekend.  It's not a love story, and it was as heart-wrenching as everyone said it would be.  I even bawled so much that I got a nose bleed.  True story.  

At least Guy M found my blood stained sobs adorable, rather than horrifying.  But don't let that put you off watching one of the better (or at least one of the saddest) films to come out of Hollywood in a while. 

If I may propose the most bearable way of watching this film: screen Blue Valentine on DVD, touch up the eyeliner and then go out to see this (featuring everyone's new Clooney):

[pc: source]

Skip The Wait List: Moda Operandi x Vintage Hermes

I interrupt this regrettable lull in posts to alert anyone suicidally desperate to secure a Hermes Birkin or Kelly.  Moda Operandi has 21 vintage Hermes bags at its latest trunk show - which means you could waltz past the wait list for that black Birkin and the local Hermes SA can withdraw the restraining order she has against you. 

The piece that's got me chucking my credit card into the freezer and holding a chopper over my right hand is the vintage wine hued Rouge H Kelly (US$4,950).  The price is - to me at least - still kind of insane but I like to imagine it once belonged to Victoria Beckham, and she's selling these bags to give back to poor or make space for baby Harper.  Makes it vaguely more justifiable... I say that with an almost straight face.

Well, if you're not saving for an apartment, Moda Operandi's selection (until 18 August) includes:

• Birkin - Eclat, Brighton Blue Crocodile, Graphite Clemence, Ebene Ostich and JPG Shoulder
• Kelly - Blue Jean, Horse Canvas, Chocolate Swift, Black Epsom and Miel Crocodile

[pc: streetchiclebanon; socialitelife]

Update: YSL Chyc Tote Has Arrived!

It's finally HERE... Make way in your closet for the YSL Chyc Cabas Tote which is, to my mild annoyance, already being heralded as the latest bag de jour.  

Walk Run to your nearest YSL boutique for the black and bright blue versions (S$2560 - ouch).  I must confess the black was a tad sombre, but I have high hopes for the the tobacco or dark brown versions which are due to arrive in stores from September.  

In the current economic climate, I realise it's not a modest sum for a bag but this roomy tote - which is surprisingly lightweight when empty [Mulberry Roxanne, I am looking at you!] - will certainly find an evergreen place under your arm as the new, go-to carry everything bag, capable of toting small animals or office files in a single bound.  

{pc: apropos}

Ready for Resort: Rupert Sanderson

Still weaning myself off an intoxicating bag phase, it's been a rare pair of shoes to make to catch my breath.  So to realise these bright, brash "Caribbean meets Kenya" mix of print, saturated hue and texture come from Mr. Minimalism Rupert Sanderson is a surprise - a very good one!  

I usually find myself more drawn to his Fall/Winter work-appropriate styles - he does the most sublime pumps on the planet - but I absolutely cannot resist the Kibo open toe wedges (US$750).  

Nissa platform wedges (US$850) - perilously high, no less desirable

Apart from deciding which to go for - the teal or the hot pink - I've just booked a holiday villa in Bali.  If I hadn't already booked this untimely vacation, I'd probably get both colours and then celebrate by calling the girls over for some homemade mai tais.  If one is not headed to a beach resort, one might as well create an occasion to wear these stunners.  After all, glorious shoes deserve a celebration! 

A selection of Rupert Sanderson's Resort 2012 styles are available for pre-order exclusively on Moda Operandi until 12 August.  For other styles, check out R-A-W Shoes.

Alldressedup Sale: Could, Would, Should?

I knew there was some buried subconscious reason that a particular loose silk tee at alldressedup's sale jumped out at me.  Navy, round neckline with 3/4 taupe sleeves - and 50% off and available in an equally pleasing chocolate/taupe combination.  

Sure enough, when scrolling through La Garconne's new arrivals, the aesthetic dawns on me:  3.1 Phillip Lim.  My retail spider sense has clearly been weakened through lack of use.

Alldressedup's version from their Spring/Summer 2011 line is actually more luxe - full silk rather than the knit vest/silk sleeve combination done at Lim.  It's also only about S$179 after the discount which works out to be a third of the cost for a similar look.  I'm now racking my brain (and retail conscience) whether to attempt asking the store holding the blouse - if it's even still available.  Oh the pain, the pain!

Also available on sale are their black or brown skinny wraparound leather belts that are so classic and perfect for that "wraparound & knot" look - a steal at S$35.70 after 70% off.  I have the brown and I love it to death so this might be a good time to score its sister.

Going Great Lengths

Despite being slightly vertically challenged, I am completely enamoured with the delicate vintage feel of the ankle-length dress.  Yes, it may seem dated to some - but surely an appropriately stellar pair of heels would updated the look immediately (ala Karla)?  Also case in hand - fairly recent red carpet looks from Hailee Steinfeld and the petite (but perfect) Mila Kunis, and on two of my recent favourite formal/bridal looks.  

Is this look only for the willowy slim and celebrity-styled? Or can mere mortels carry the look? 

Hailee in Marchesa at the 2011 Oscars, via JustJared

Alessandra Rich via Net-A-Porter

Mila in Monique Lhuillier at the 2009 Emmys

The much adored Victoria Beckham wedding gown, formerly available at Net-A-Porter