DRAK KNIGHTS

No, I did not spell that wrong. The Drak Knights editorial is featured in the latest issue of Runway Magazine and was shot by photographer Christian Rios—and it's blowing my mind.

This has to be my favorite shot. Isn't the lighting exquisite? And I love the juxtaposition between the graffiti'd water tower and the obvious beauty of the model (even if she is done up to look tough).

I also love the familiarity of this picture. This will probably sound funny to most people, but I can totally tell this was shot in the L.A. area. I'd recognize that haze and those mountains in the distance from anywhere. Home.

I can't believe I'm not over studs and spikes yet. I guarantee you if it's studded, I already own it.

Images via .RIOTMODE. 

DESIRABLE OUTFIT: H&M SILK DRESS

1. Felt Floppy Hat, TOPSHOP 2. Silk Dress, H&M 3. Loop Flat Chain Drops, TOPSHOP 4. Vintage Moschino Belt 5. Vintage YSL Brown Clutch, ASOS 6. Jeffrey Campbell Lita Boot, SOLESTRUCK 7. Primadina Turquoise Single Ring, MAX&CHLOE 8. Mixology NYC Lone Star Steer Ring,  MAX&CHLOE

ABIGAL'S PARTY

Loving the photo on TOPSHOP's homepage featuring their Abigail's Party collection. Everything from the black jersey jumpsuit with the gold belt to the model's perfectly coiffed brunette hair and smokey eye makeup are simply stunning—definitely right in line with Marc Jacob's SS11 show. Even her beautiful pale skin has got me wanting to slather on the SPF50 sunscreen.

This one is going into my inspiration folder.

MOVE OVER, ELVIRA HANCOCK

Anja Rubik looking a lot like Michella Pfieffer via Scarface in the November issue of Vogue Russia. I absolutely love this look.

ALESSANDRA AMBROSIO FOR VOGUE NIPPPON, DECEMBER 2010

A little editorial inspiration for your Tuesday morning. 

BELL BOTTOM BLUES

Can't wait until Spring to get your 70s fix? Try these pants on for size.

From Left: Bell Bottom Jeans, 'Studio Bell Bottom Trousers, Corduroy Bell Bottom Trousers. All from ZARA

From Left: MOTO Indigo Pleat Front Flare Jeans, 70s Word Flares By Boutique, Navy Bette Jeans, Paloma Wide Leg Trousers. All from TOPSHOP

THAT 70S SHOW

Image via The Sartorialist

In early September, at the beginning of New York Fashion Week, Scott Schuman (The Sartorialist) snapped this picture, and then asked the question "so what is more important, fashion or style?" He then stated that although he knew seasonal trends, the young lady pictured above didn't really fit into any of those forecasts, yet she really stood out from the rest of the "fashion pack."

But oh, how wrong he was.

I suppose it's not Schuman's fault. How was he supposed to know that designers-a-plenty would be sending a flood of 70s inspired clothing down the runways for Spring. If anything, this young lady is right on target for Spring's 70s explosion—and I love it.

I'd be lying if I said that the late 60s and early 70s weren't a big inspiration to me. I grew up listening to the music of that era (thanks to Mom and Dad), and I'm a firm believer that that era (particularly the years between 1965 and 1975) was the greatest era for music the world has, and will ever see again (but this is for another discussion). Often times I imagine what it would have been like to live through the kind of change that swept through the United States (and other parts of the world) during that time period—and of course my dad's crazy stories about growing up then only add fuel to the fire.

Suffice it to say, I was pleasantly surprised to see so much 70s inspiration on the catwalks for Spring 2011. From flower child to Studio 54 diva, the evidence was everywhere.

Derek Lam S/S 2011

For Spring 2011, Derek Lam looked west—California to be exact. There was lots of denim, longer hemlines (a trend many designers are adapting for the upcoming season) and flared trousers that would look perfectly at home on Ali MacGraw or Joni Mitchell.

Marc Jacobs S/S 2011

Donna Summers, is that you? At Marc Jacob's Spring 2011 show, inspiration was found not on the west coast, but on that other coast—in New York City discotheques to be exact. Think big hair, floppy hats, slinky satiny dresses and again, the flared-leg trouser.

Yves Saint Laurent S/S 2011

A trip back to the 70s would not be complete without mentioning the decade's star designer—Yves Saint Laurent. It was no surprise that the massive Saint Laurent exhibition shown in Paris early this year would make it's presence felt on the runways for Spring 2011—and the YSL show was no exception. Stefano Pilati, having all the YSL archives at his disposal, harkened back to an era where Le Smoking and the peasant blouse ruled women's wardrobes. Whether this collection will make enough of an impact to allow Pilati to remain head designer for the venerable house remains to be seen, but I for one know I'll be dreaming about owning one of these jumpsuits for quite some time.

FABULOUS PHOTOS

A little behind the scenes action—courtesy of the October 2010 issue of Vogue Paris—starring Anja Rubik, Isabeli Fontana and Natasha Poly.

Photographers: Inez van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin
Stylist: Emmanuelle Alt

PATTERNED PANTS

Unfortunately I wasn't fast enough to snag me a pair of these awesome patterned leggings/pants from H&M's Arizona Dream editorial. Thankfully, there are two other options out there I just stumbled on.


First up are these patterned leggings from Acne. I first noticed them when I saw a picture of Caroline wearing them. Honestly, I think I prefer these to the ones from H&M.

Image via Carolines Mode

Acne Cadena Print Leggings available at Nelly.com

The second pair are for those of you who can't come to grips with shelling out almost $200 (1195 SEK) for a pair of leggings. They are from Swedish retailer Gina Tricot and are available in two colors.

That's all I've found for now, but I'll update this post if I find any more look-alikes!

THE DRAPED SKIRT

Outfit on left, clockwise from top: 1. Lovat Coat, Rag & Bone 2. Acne Tauri Button Down Blouse 3. Vintage Moschino Belt 4.  Too Fast To Live Ring, Vivienne Westwood 5. Draped Skirt, H&M 6. ASOS Tobago Lace & Bow Shoe Boot 7. Yves Saint Laurent Coin Purse

Bra in the middle is from H&M

Outfit on right, clockwise from top: 1. Acne Black Veba Biker Jacket 2. T by Alexander Wang Classic Tank 3. Alexander Wang Jena Clutch 4. TopShop Primrose Ruched Strap Heels 5. Puff Ball Skirt by Rare 6. TopShop Spike Plastic Stretch Bracelet

Draped Skirts were everywhere this Spring/Summer season (if you don't believe me check out The Fashion Cloud for her great post on the trend). Why not continue this great look into the fall? Just switch out the nudes colors of Spring for skirts in rich jewel tones like emerald and sapphire, and voila! 


Of course, you don't need to buy a skirt. You could always take your favorite scarf out and give it the draped treatment, like in this video.

And if you're feeling really creative why not give this DIY Burberry-inspired look a try?

Image via anywho.dk

Whatever you decide, there are plenty of options for you to pull off this fresh new take on the skirt.

Happy shopping!

Red Leather!

Image via Northern Light

How hot are these pants?! I'm dying to find myself a pair of red leather pants similar to these, and have been on the hunt for quite some time. The lovely lady pictured above (Hedvig) has great style—not to mention legs for days—and got her pants from COS.

AHHH, if only we had a COS in Sweden! Some day...

Colors of Fall—Part One

Everywhere I look these days I am seeing shades of orange—from bright tangerine hues to more subdued burnt sienna tones. I was never much of an orange fan in the past, but for some reason this season I cannot get enough of the color. Maybe it has to do with the fact that I'm a redhead now and I feel the color compliments me much better, or perhaps I'm just a sucker for the latest fad (I suspect it's a little bit of both). 

Whatever the reason, here is the first part in a series of four guides dedicated to this season's fabulous colors of fall.

Salvatore Ferragamo A/W 2010

Orange was painted all over the runways for fall, with big appearances at Salvatore Ferragamo, Anna Sui and Stella McCartney.  

Stella McCartney A/W 2010

The Orange trend hasn't happend overnight—it was crashing the party last year during the spring shows, making cameos at Donna Karan, Carolina Herrera and Carlos Miele. Fast forward to present day and you will find orange (or rust, pumpkin and salmon) in almost every High Street store.

Anna Sui A/W 2010

So is orange the new black? Not exactly (that title goes to another color in part two of this series), but orange is not going away anytime soon. Fear not, what I've learned this season is that orange can be flattering on a variety of different skin tones and hair colors—it's all in the shade and finding the right one for you is key to pulling off this look. Here are some of my favorite picks...

Clockwise from top left: Minimarket Go Mini Skirt, Farfetch.com, Cheap Monday Skinny Cords in Rust, Farfetch.com, Cluster Flock Earrings, Moxsie.com, Sweater, H&M, Burnt Orange Wide Brim Floppy Hat, Luxurydivas.com, Bandage Ruched Bandeau Dress, Topshop, Rachel Taupe & Orange Dress by Charlotte Taylor, Coggles.com, Leather Buckle Shorts, Topshop, Tetra Leather Pony Effect Boots, ASOS, Arctic Suede Shearling Wedges, ASOS, Leather Twist Lock Satchel, ASOS, Juicy Couture Rich Girl Watch in Neon Orange, Endless.com, Kenneth Jay Lane Coral Cocktail Ring, PRET-A-BEAUTE

Make Up Forever and Moulin Rouge

I am a huge fan of Make Up For Ever, their HD foundation is probably my favorite foundation of all time. Their new collection for fall is titled Moulin Rouge, and is inspired by the infamous Parisian venue of the same name.

While I think this collection is fabulous, I can't help but wonder if the marketing for this campaign would have been better suited for holiday instead of fall. The red lipstick and gloss could definitely be everyday items for me, but when I see the over-the-top false eyelashes and Swaroski crystal jewels I can't help but think of Christmas or New Year's Eve parties—which I plan on buying for just such occasions.

Either way, the imagery is beautiful and I plan on picking up each item from the (small) collection. Unfortunately, Make Up For Ever is not available in Sweden (one of my biggest complaints since moving to this country), however you can order online from Guru Makeup Emporium and they will ship anywhere in the world!