season five

designer spotlight: Yumi Kim

Designer Yumi Kim's line is inspired by vintage prints and silhouettes. I love the kimono-esque mini-dresses from her spring collection. Today was the warmest day of the year in San Francisco and I wore this purple dress with K.Jacques gladiator flats. It is a perfect dress to transition into spring/summer. At LuvCharlie.

designer spotlight: steven alan

I picked up a Steven Alan shirt for my husband at Dylan (fabulous boutique in San Francisco) recently and have since become a little obsessed with these shirts. They have a slim fit, reverse seams and a slightly off hem. They look equally at home under a jacket or a hoodie. The women who work at Dylan order men’s shirts in XS for themselves but the company makes women’s shirts as well. I just ordered a very cute black and red flannel style from the online store. Pictured here: McDreamy in Steven Alan.

designer spotlight: elizabeth and james

When Elizabeth and James, the contemporary line by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, launched late last summer I chalked it up to more celebrities capitalizing on their fame to sell clothing. And since I am over 21 I hardly thought any of their designs would interest me. I was wrong. I like almost everything in the winter collection from the cute coats to plaid shirts. The pieces are very wearable and many have thoughtful details  - a giant shawl collar on a leopard coat (I’d pair with jeans and cocktail dresses), a jacket with satin lining and shawl collar that doubles as a hood, a leather jacket with pleats and mod mini dresses with beautiful necklines in jewel tones – are all examples. At Bergdorf Goodman, Intermix and Neiman Marcus.

designer spotlight: alexander wang

                                                                   

      Alexander Wang’s knitwear collection may appear basic at first. But at second glance, you fall in love with the beautiful cashmere vests and sweaters and realize they will become a staple in your wardrobe. His new collection stays true to this sentiment. I feel the same way about Alexander Wang as I do about other favorite designers – Stella McCartney, Balenciaga, Chanel and Vanessa Bruno - modern, edgy and timeless - always special and current for years. Earlier this year, Style.com called Wang’s second ready-to-wear show a combination of “eighties hip-hop and seventies Parisian chic”.  And just right for fall 2007.

designer spotlight: collette dinnigan

Another one of my favorite designers adopted the airport theme for resort. Australia’s Collette Dinnigan showed her resort collection Monday at Sydney Airport. The event took place at the first class lounge designed by Marc Newson, Australia’s most renowned industrial designer. Newson is known stateside for designing the Lever House in New York City. This is the first collection Dinnigan has shown on her home soil in two years after taking some time to spend with her family.

I fell in love with Dinnigan’s lingerie inspired designs after spending some time in Australia a few years ago. Her timeless dresses are equally suited to flip-flops and heels. The Aussie’s do warm weather casual so much better than LA!