This just In: Pierre Balmain Casual...

Edgy streetwear in the mini-luxe category makes its debut this collections week.  Shown in the showroom with a few models modeling in a street/cas style, the line appears to be a great mix of rocker, street, luxe all wrapped up in pieces that are going to add to anyone's wardrobe.

We're already BALMAIN fans...so it was just a matter of time for them to put this all together for those of us who are not currently shopping for couture. But, I want something I can wear for a few seasons and not be so much in fashion that I'm either "IN" or "OUT"  as Heidi Klum says.  After all, with this economy who knows?  Some pieces range in price from DKNY levels to a few things at the top like the leather jacket.  Of course, we wish other lines would do this...because its great to mix and match the "high" with the "low"  in our closets. French fashion houses are always in danger of becoming too rich, to fat, and to slow to run with the youth market and this has a perfect ring to it. Also,  for the new emerging markets like CHINA or BRAZIL where the pocketbooks are flush with cash, and the kids love fashion they can afford, wear, and mix around for fun

it makes sense for a very established almost....historic brand to emerge as some thing new, fresh and fun.    Bravo!

STYLIST PRIVEE

Happy Anniversary MAX MARA! 1951-2011

 

While the French Fashion rage on this week, we couldn't help but notice our favorite classic house, MAX MARA was busy celebrating an anniversary. Born in 1951, the house created the classics in days when a women wore a bag, shoes and gloves all to match with her perfectly tailored coat. Did we say that was 1951? Well, now that the ladylike bag has returned, and you can purchase dreamy gloves at Perrin Paris (glovemakers to Chanel, Hermes) I think its fair to say that MAX MARA has taken what was an Italian sportswear name, 

and, made it continually successful and solid, even through the 1960s when London took over and the entire world went MOD. The Fall Max Mara collections continued to please their typical customer, with an array of classic shapes and coats and skirts that were not only classic but affordable.  I know my fashion friends will tell me, that the clothes are dull, and a bit conservative.  Well, I never met a man who didn't want a proper girl in a Max Mara outfit to meet his mother, no? Or, that perfect power meeting where you have to leave the leather mini at home. That's the purpose of Max Mara, keeping a girl on the up and up, if you know what I mean. 

Fabrics, are always a must at an Italian house, and MAX MARA can be trusted to provide solid camels, great wools, and delicious leathers. We're fans of just how easy it is to get dressed with the basics, and then there's that touch of luxe that makes them Italian:  fur cuffs, collars, leather trims, patent leather accessories, delicious shoes, and bags, that are not inspired, but solid.  Sometimes a girl just needs to depend on things that work.   

Spring Collections offered a welcomed relaxed and architectural mode that made much of a girls figure, simple shapes, gorgeous fabrics and clothes that said VIVA DOLCE or VIA ROMA or Vive L'Italia as there is really no substitute for a beautiful Italian fabric that has been cut to to perfection. 

Stylist PRIVEE

LANVIN: Best in Show

Without Much ADO, we'll just say it. Lots of fuss about nothing these days in the Paris shows...so much needs to be re-devised there, with designers who are either IN or OUT. Some fashion houses continue to deliver, but, others, are just out of gas, literally.  Our favorite still remains the house of LANVIN, where chic, simple desires are met with gorgeous fabrics and cut.  Elber Albaz is always fresh, and knowing what a women wants, and when you get dressed you're not creating a look that will be dead by the next season.  That's the best part,  you can continue to invest, mix, match, create your own looks and still be fresh. Most couture designers are all about the Red Carpet, and, we're certainly fans.  But, could we just leave our homes, get into our cars, and not feel like we're overwhelmed with too much?  That's what LANVIN clothes are about, that's ELBER, the man we adore.  

I recently stepped into the LANVIN boutique in MALIBU, brand spanking new and complete with elegant furnishings for your boyfriend to sit down and recover from the prices, though he'll agree you look amazing.  Yes, right there, two minutes from the OCEAN where no one really gets dressed, in anything more than designer jeans, t-shirts and platforms, don't forget the Designer bag.  That's it.  And there we were, surrounded by the most elegant and chic "casual" clothes that could go to dinner in a restaurant next to the ocean, albeit, with a t-shirt added, bare legs and a sandal. That's the genius of Lanvin right now.  I can wear that stiffened 50s skirt with  a t-shirt and sandals, pair of earrings. Done.  I was so inspired with the clothes for Fall, I can't wait to get into spring where the looks are lighter, a bit less formal, and, still in my favorite shades of black, creme, silver and white.  All of the reviews are in, and, might we say, we're in line for the "jawdropingly beautiful" reviews by Pop Sugar.com (*head over there for the complete slide show)

We think you'll agree that few American Sportswear designers, can accomplish this beauty and ease.  Our only thought is that Donna Karan...in her early years achieved as much.

STYLIST PRIVEE