THE daily chronicle SHOW

in preparation for the cooler weather here where i live, i have browsed and studied different fashion magazines with hopes to resuscitate my outdated fall/winter look. with too much catalogs at hand, i have found that i love and just recently developed a high obsession for flat or slouchy boots. they’re great paired with fall tunics and cashmere leggings. they’re also perfect tucked in skinny jeans topped with short jackets. they’re even lovely with short dresses and opaque stockings. the look options are endless and i have picked a few pairs that i’ve spotted online at bloomingdales. here are my choices that i have narrowed down from so many :

steve madden sabina flat boot $ 179

delman preston cs suede slouch boot $ 395

cynthia vincent hibiscus flat boot $ 540

obviously, they all look comfortable enough and i love the suede look even with it’s high maintenance value. however, what do you all think? which one gets your vote?

photo credit : bloomingdales

i am still baffled with all the flowy chiffon dresses matched with leather studded accessories but i come to realize that over analyzing the hermes spring 2007 runway show brings one self to question our own taste level. so, i’d rather not judge it and just take it as it is. designer jean-paul gaultier continues to make this french luxury leather house a bit more young and hip and the end-result is just not quite there yet. i applaud the edgi-ness created with the shoulder birkin, the tiny kelly clutch and the kelly longue but the rest of the new bags are still debatable. what do you think?

photo credits : style.com

if you’re in the area, check out PR 2 grad, emmett mccarthy’s boutique and get the chance to shop and meet your favorite project runway season 2’s alumni with an addition of PR 3’s recently booted off, alison kelly. the event is on saturday, sept. 16 with a special appearance by tim gunn .

philippine’s own fashion icon and former top mannequin, tina maristela-ocampo, has created beautiful handmade evening bags. every clutch piece evokes an old world charm design reminiscent of the past, utilizing locally grown materials but has the modern look appeal. a perfect accessory for an evening out, they’re sold in stores at barneys and ikram in chicago.

natural mother of pearl and brass bracket $ 1115

padded shagreen with carved animal jade clasp $ 995

padded shagreen in maple wood frame $ 995

copper filigree with tiger’s eye clasp $ 700

also available in vivre.com

i am not into matchy-matchy outfits but this season’s delicious boots and bags gets you garbed in head to toe designer regalia. you can even get away with wearing old sweaters and tattered jeans with this brand spanking of-the-moment boots and bags!

CHLOE’s paddington satchel $ 1800 and belted boots $ 885

GUCCI’s britt bag $ 1650 and booties $ 725

YSL’s anais patent tote $ 945 and ida patent boots $ 1025

all available at neimans

favorite designer to young celebrities - behnaz sarafpour - has gone out of the designer mold by working with lancome for a limited-edition red lipstick, which coincidentally debuts with ny fashion week in september. next month, we’ll have a peek at the red shade she created with the premier cosmetic house. so far, nothing else has been written about this except a little feature from our monthly fashion mag subscription, instyle, where i have sourced this important info. well, we’ll all just have to be patient and constantly check lancome’s website for it’s launching.

as everyone probably knows, behnaz is also the next designer to feature price-slashed collection with target’s highly successful go international campaign. come november, this adorable line will be available in your local target stores just in time for the holidays.

splurge vs. steal or luxe vs. less. designers want to attract everyone’s business - no matter what social class or tax bracket you belong to - they want you to buy their stuff. who was the master of this step-down younger line? calvin klein, of course, who created his ck line in the 80s. there’s also donna karan - dkny was produced as a less expensive line.

nowadays, the choices are endless. prices are still not exactly steals but it was cheaper than the premier line, so to speak and you still get the taste of a designer merchandise. check out the following related products :

pleated prada $ 1750 vs. miu miu matelasse bag $ 1315

mc graw platform boots by michael kors $ 775 vs. domino suede boots by kors michael kors $ 345

miss wave dolce and gabbana bag $ 2225 vs. leopard - print satchel D & G $995

floral dress by roberto cavalli $ 1872 vs. aztec print dress by just cavalli $ 460

zigzag dress by missoni $ 2300 vs. the other zigzag dress by m missoni $ 595

all available at bergdorfs, neimans

sneakers have come a long way since i’ve been in grade school. gone are the red, white and blue combo. designers like jil sander and alexander mcqueen - to mention a few, have gone creating their own sneakers with an edge. they’ve gone metallic, they’ve gone velcro and it does not limit to laces any longer. no matter what though, sneakers are still the ultimate feet comfort when travelling, running, exercising or just plain strolling. i love that the plain old sneakers have been jazzed up a bit.

metallic speed cat by puma

silver streak by adidas

puma by alexander mcqueen

hogan metallic sneakers

tods metallic ballerinas

photos swiped from neiman, eluxury, nordstrom

most of the hit spring trends are being morphed into a fall/winter must-have. a lot of the trends are inspirations from seasons past and the uncanny resemblance tells it all. here are some spring-to-fall transitions :

miu miu’s bright ballet slippers transformed into a subdued black jeweled flats

ysl’s muse bag revamped with new luxurious leather skin for fall

christian louboutin’s popular espadrilles vs. the suede wedge pump by the same designer. identical shape, different looks

khaki bermuda shorts with cami tops replaced by cashmere sweaters and shorts in dark hues

sheer spring tunic tops over skinny jeans vs. layered vests and boots over skinny denim for fall

photo credit : neimans

while we’re on the shoe topic - this fall, my favorite shoe line is gucci. despite the fashion house’s hideous anniversary bag line, i just love their fall shoe looks. here are some of my faves :

the pumps and open-toe heels might be too high for me but they’re such killer shoes that just scream sexy. for the boots, i can see them being worn years after years to come since they’re not trendy at all. i love the midheel booties - great to wear with pants for work and bootcut jeans. for a more voguish outfit, this midheel booties also look great with the leggings trend that’s big this fall. all shoes available at your local gucci and saks stores.

photos courtesy of saks.com

viktor and rolf for h & m. paul and joe for target. designers are spicing up moderately-priced retail stores for this fall. and it’s creating havoc. and now comes, britain’s fashion queen vivienne westwood for nine west.

this september, top nine west stores all over the country will be showcasing limited edition shoe designs from this bold brassy designer. with prices ranging from $ 160- 350, doubling prices of regular nine west shoe designs, expect to see lots of twists and unexpected creations apart from your typical nine west shoe. the collection will also be available on a limited time only feature on ninewest.com!

photo source : style.com

i’m excited with this popular fall trend of oversized sweaters over skinny jeans or leggings. you see, i am not fit nor i am trying extremely hard to achieve washboard abs or toned arms. my gut sticks out and my arms are flabby and i’m not proud of that. i simply create excuses for not making it to my elliptical machine only a few steps away from this PC. and it’s my fault.

so, having said that - i am thrilled to death that i’d be able to hide my flaws and yet be so fashionably-in and chic about it. the fall runways featured chunky sweaters and jackets paired with tights, pencil skirts and the i-thought-won’t-last skinny jeans. the finish product - a sleek layered outfit which is very forgiving and friendly to the un-toned body. check out the runway looks :

monique lhuillier

chanel

and the affordable, street versions :

see by chloe capelet and jeans

vince sweater and corduroy jeans

another vince sweater version with leggings

and finally, i looooove this marc by marc jacobs wool coat with cigarette jeans

addendum : by the way, yours truly got a cool mention here. thanks, kristopher dukes!

photo credits : style.com, neimans

the gaucho

the wendy

the dana barrell

the sienna

yet another handbag designer emerge. aleya ny is all about functionality at affordable prices. all priced under $ 500, this line uses italian leather - lambskin suede, pearl-finished lambskin, metallic kid skin and even nylon canvas. the line also includes fun flirty clutches and cuffs in a myriad of rich colors. all hardware accenting the bags are handplated 22 karat gold for additional edge. the bag designs sort of remind me of botkier, kooba or bulga. will NM ever carry them in the near future?

nevertheless, welcome to the saturated world of handbag designs. but the more the merrier, i guess. with tons to choose from, the consumer is still in the advantage. thank god.

i love kate hudson. i even forgave her for showing up on the cover of vogue. but this little number has brought some confusion to me. i like the shift pattern but i’m not too crazy about the see-through material. and the length seems odd. what do you think? a fashion do or don’t?

i still love her though.

photo credit : eonline

what i like about red is, it’s a color you can wear all-year round. it’s a season-proof color that for spring, it’s great paired with white and navy to channel the nautical look. for the party holiday rounds in fall/winter, a ruby-colored shift is a popular alternative to the more common little black dress. it’s a very strong color, that a minimal accessory load is acceptable. even a mere swipe of red-engine lipstick and scarlet-painted toenails can complete the whole look.

molly and nicky’s pictures are from style.com

chloe’s elle spread is finally out! get your copy!

photo credit : snippets from elle magazine

if you can’t beat them, join them. i thought i will never join the bandwagon of the 80s leggings trend return. but i found myself curious why this trend even elevated to a major fall/winter must-have. i did a little research myself and test-drove a cheap pair of leggings a few weeks ago. a pair i found at loehmann’s for under $ 10. as fashion magazines dictated, i was skeptical but determined to find the perfect oversized top to wear it with. then, i found the right moment to wear them - my flight to l.a. knowing how fashion forward people in l.a. are, i was brave enough to sport them. surprisingly, i really love wearing them. they’re comfortable and very forgiving to the figure. i just got the basic black leggings and wore them with a white shirt and ballet flats. when we almost missed our flight, that outfit made me run like a sprinter dashing to the boarding gate on time!

the key to this trend are the perfect shoes and tops to wear them with. for spring, we found that short dresses and miniskirts evoked a trendy look. but for fall, heavy sweaters and structured rich-hued jackets are the absolute tops for them this coming season. for shoes, ideally it would work with flats, platform wedges and boots.

well? if it doesn’t work out for you, there’s always the gym to wear it to.

photo credit : neimans

inspired by project runway tim gunn’s popular phrase “carry on….”, this limited edition canvas bag was created by season 2 winner, chloe dao, is now available on bravotv.com for $ 95. also, some of hollywood’s young actresses have been spotted carrying the other “chloe bag” in leather version, like jamie-lynn sigler, available for $ 595. project runway season 3 starts tonight!

update : here’s more about the bag from houston’s shopgirl, heather.

it’s all about fringes, grommets, metal studs, braids, caramels and chocolates - ingredients for a fall favorite bag. non of the major fashion houses brought out any unforgettable fall handbag pieces, most of them are twists on the popular spring “it” bags. i like these bags - maybe a little overdecorated for my taste but the trend leading to the fall/winter season still extends to highly adorned but muted-colored bags.

juicy’s princess bag : : : rafe doctor bag

henry beguelin’s nuage bag : : : marc jacobs’ wham satchel

too many choices and fall is almost here!

the simple and uncomplicated structure of this bag appeals to me. it has that understated chic style that transcends to timeless, classic leather bag in the same league as celine’s boogie bag or LV’s damier line. i like that it got a similar tote shape as the hermes birkin but less complex with it’s plain buckle and padlock. of course, it also helps that our favorite trendsetter miss kate toted this bag a few months back. and the tag price is not that bad either, $ 995 from net-a-porter.

banking on the success of the original chloe paddington, spin-offs on this once-upon-a-time it bag design has endlessly evolved in a variety of choices if you’re tired of the first one. the line has expanded to shoes and camera bags - personally, i find them uninspired creations. the advent of these products just goes to show that the chloe designers are running out of concepts or this line is still going strong that calling them “classics” are what they’re hoping for.

paddington bowler bag

pouch pocket paddington

east west paddington bag

paddington shoulder bag

and now introducing :

paddington camera bag

and still my faves :

paddington peep toe shoes

original paddington satchel in crocodile

all available at neimans and net-a-porter

much has been written and talked about the most awaited movie of the summer for fabulous fashionistas, the devil wears prada. so big, that merchandise are popping everywhere from a dedicated amazon shop to sephora. products include t-shirts and tanktops, limited prada scents and a patricia field designed purse.

this limited perfume set is available at sephora for $ 65

for as low as $ 12.99 in amazon, this tank top has the famous shoe logo adorning the back

designed by the movie’s stylist patricia field (from the now defunct hbo sex in the city show), this bag can be worn two ways. made of distressed faux leather, it is accented with a tassel and metallic studs. a great buy for only $ 79.95 also available in amazon

watch out, the movie hits the silver screen soon - even better for LA residents, it debuts at the LA film festival on june 22, eight days before it opens nationwide!

it never fails. whenever i’m in a fashion crisis - which is often - and i can’t make up my mind on what to wear on a last minute party invite, i totally depend on my instincts to wear a crisp white shirt with either a slim black skirt with jeweled mules for a cocktail party or jeans with heels for a casual get-together. worn with pearl studs or big funky hoop earrings, they never cease to save the almost fashion faux pas that i would have been. they’re classic, timeless and always party appropriate wherever the festive jamboree may be. here are a few of my white shirt picks :

for the romantic - a flutter of sleeves with a square neckline

on the job - the shirt’s pintucked side darts soften the serious workplace look

drawstring ties on sleeves for an easy carefree look

a first date must - a dainty lace shell channeling a chaste innocent look

important note : keep make-up to a minimum. white shirts light up your face. hair can be combed stiff or tousled (i prefer a loose ponytail or chignon) and a luminous look with barely a hint of color makes the over all look ethereal and heavenly!

photo credit : neiman marcus

as soon as school is out - we’ve zoomed past the dragging school zone and headed towards a promising warm and hot summer. lots of non-working holidays ahead and the itch to head to the beach and face the sun just looms above our heads. whether you’re headed to an exotic beach in some tropical island or to an exciting expedition in some foreign country, summer essentials complete this season’s rituals. here are mine :

a water-based sunscreen with spf 25 for my oily skin

for more face coverage at the beach, my dermatologist recommended coppertone for babies with spf 50

my only lip primer even if it lacks the high spf. i certainly love it!

lovely toes painted with nude/pinkish tones are perfect for the dainty summer sandals

everyday flip flops

or a more glam thong sandals for evening out

white denim to match your colorful bright tunics and blouses

aviator sunglasses to protect those lovely peepers

and lots of shorts and tank tops! what’s your summer uniform?

photo credits : eluxury, amazon, essie, kiehls

would you want to be a walking target advertisement? hip l.a. store shopintuition carries the new novelty fashion line, target couture .

the only thing missing is the white dog!

p.s. i can just see paris hilton and kimberly stewart dressed head to toe in these on the streets of l.a.

photo credit : shopintuition

are designers left with excess material enough to create relevant shoes to the more popular “it” purses?

photos from eluxury

clean. virginal. light whites - pefect for summer days and nights! some white picks that do not deserve any other color accent :

photo credits : neimans, alexandra knight

i am on the waiting list for these lovely tory by trb ballet flats at the robertson store. but you can get your hands on them now - they’re available online!

i am lusting these adorable flats since it first came out featured in magazines. i love the gold logo and it’s perfect for your skinny jeans, bermuda shorts and even your shirtdresses! they come in all imaginable colors - i particularly like the green one.

i am flat out in love!

the burst of orange citrus-y hue is more than just a halloween color theme. it’s never boring, nor is it ever predictable. best matched with white, black, khakis and even green. no wonder, hermes made it it’s trademark color. it beams life, freshness and elegance.

orange you glad?

photo credits : eluxury, neiman marcus, ebay

there are days that feeling comfy rules over looking hot and sexy. wearing flats give comfort to your feet but no less adds the chic factor look especially worn with in-the-moment skinny jeans. with so many versions done to the ballet shoes - these tops my list :

shall we dance?

photo credit : eluxury