DECORATING {YOURSELF} FOR THE HOLIDAYS

My favorite part of the holiday is the chance to decorate myself. (Who am I kidding ... "Self Ornamentation" is my favorite part of each and every day)

The theme here seems to be Frida Kahlo as Dominatrix.

Fur, leather, metal cuffs & flora.

This veiled, giant red bloom of a hat is gorgeous and so festive.

A hat of knotted reeds and a vest of bits and fox and Tibetan lamb

a skirt embellished with mother-of-pearl disks replicated in

bangles of hammered metal.

I love love love this red outfit! I have this hat in white with grey tips.

This makes me want to dye it red. And look at wonderful ankle strap heels.

Yummy!

One of my favorite 70's trends. High wasted wide legged

(back in the day they were called "Elephant Pants")

I love winter white

Dots for days. Beautiful neck baubles and fab fur booties.

Black quilted jumpsuit, three quarter length sleeve mohair

sweater/jacket and leather gloves.

Stunning necklace and bracelets. All topped by a dramatic white,

bandage tied scarf finished with white silk flowers.

Zip up girl, it's cold outside!

Adore this look from head to toe.

A red petaled head wreath complimented by dress,

gloves and hose of the same color.

Model - Karmen Pedaru

Lensed by Greg Kadel

The Style of Circumstance

1940's inspired glamour. The hair, the clothes, the shoes

... my favorite fashion era ...

Love this dress with the rounded collar opening to a peek-a-boo back,

synched at the waist a slender skirt ending with a slight flair at the hem.

Accessorized with fab sunnies and seamed black stockings. The total look.

A white, high "ruff" collar shirt under a black textured damask jacket topped with a leather corset belt and leather cuffs, hat and gloves... amazing!

The detail in the jacket, oversized buttons, high neck, belted waist

and accentuated shoulder ia such a flattering silhouette.

Polka dot pencil skirt, perfect!

This beautiful fur shrug has been dyed such a remarkable burgundy hue

and is paired nicely with the long grey gloves.

I want to touch the fabric of her skirt. It resembles woven silk scales.

What do I like most about cold weather? Jackets, brilliantly tailored jackets!

Embellished sleeves... I know, I'm addicted to detail.

The rolled hairdos of the 40's were like sculpture; an architectural headpiece.

Perfectly tailored, from head to toe.

Alexander McQueen Spring/Summer 2012 Backstage Film

"I was thinking about a woman as an object of desire", Sara Burton

explains. "We go to such lengths to adorn ourselves that we almost

become our clothes ar are taken over by them. This collection is

about excess —an exploration of ideals beauty at their most extreme."

❝ ACCESSORIZE YOUR LIFE ❞

I think I was about three when I started dressing myself in jewelry...

mounds and mounds of jewelry. As an accessory I would also

wear an article of clothing... but I think it was a second thought to the baubles.

Not much has changed.

Bracelets and rings used to always be worn atop evening gloves in the movies of the 1940's. What happened to that. Oh, some people still do.

That would be me.

Cuffs... if you don't have them on your shirt,

you should have them on your arms.

They are your modern day armor.

One of the most brilliant fusions of attire this decade, the "glove shrug"!

It is a new rendition of when my mom would crochet a

string adjoining my mittens so that when I took them off they would

dangle from my coat sleeves. Those however didn't have any sex appeal.

These sizzle.

Collar, corset and cuffs because the amazing fur just wasn't dramatic enough.

Ropes of coins wrapped round and round neck and wrists ... Gipsy appeal.

This outfit is absolute perfection! Texture, texture and texture. Delicious.

Decorating yourself is the ultimate indulgence.

Throughout human history, irrespective of religion race or culture, jewelry has existed as an integral form of expression. The function of ornamentation has

evolved and varied over time from a form of currency to a fashion

accessory and increasingly it is viewed as a form of artistic expression.

Model - Jac Jagaciak Photographer - Greg Kadel Stylist - Bill Muller

Accessories - Dolce & Gabbana, Lanvin, Cavalli and Gucci

ROAD TO MARRAKECH

A languidly draped nomad tent bakes under the afternoon sun.

A traveler... gypsy of the desert. Polka-dotted socks, plaid tapered pants,

feathered skirt and floral cape - her life fits on her back and scattered suitcases.

I love the pinstriped socks paired with the plaid suit coupled with the traditional heavy embroidery and tassels of a Berber vest and headdress. Sumptuous.

Embellishment, color, texture is the flavor of Marrakech.

Stunning blood red brocade skirt over layers of petticoats seemingly bustled

by a gathered cape topped with Moroccan tassels. Beaded bracelets cuff her

arm and her shoulders are wrapped in gold lamé.

Layers and layers of contrasting fabrics topped off with baubles and beads.

From the leg coverings atop leggings to the tassel covered skirts and hoops,

to the tweed vest over bright patterned sweater with wrap around scarf,

stacked hats and a smattering of baubles; I would wear every bit as is.

The combination to me is delicious.

And, I would happily wear it in the company of camels.

The luscious jewel toned fabrics against the stark backdrop of the desert ... such contrast.

More is more.

I am now longing to travel to Morocco.

HERVE LEGER by Max Azaria

Herve Leger was founded in 1985 by the designer

currently known as Hervé L. Leroux. (Leroux adopted his

current name after he lost the rights tothe Hervé Léger name

... so goes the fashion business...)

Leroux pioneered the creation of the "bandage (or "body-con") dress, using materials traditionally associated with foundation garments to create dresses that would mold

and shape the wearer's figure with its signature bandage-like strips.

In September 1998, Herve Leger was acquired by the BCBG Max Azaria Group. This was the

first-ever acquisition of a Frence couturier by an American designer.

In April 2007, Max azria relaunched the Herve Leger brand under his own design direction.
(Ahhhh, the business of fashion, not just beautiful design and exquisite runway shows!)

This is the Spring 2011 Campaign.

Model, Olga Sherer, photographed by Camilla Akrans.

I still have my "bandage dress from the mid 1990's.

And now they are back again.

Everything old returns, new with time.

EDITA VILKEVICIUTE by Sølve Sundsbø

Dramatic pieces from past collections are showcased in Vogue China.

Styled by Nicoletta Santoro.

Yohji Yamamoto's voluminous cape which was featured in Yohji's retrospective

at the Albert & Victoria Museum in London.

The back view... a billowing train trailing like a puddle of thick black ink.

This exquisite piece is punctuated by a dramatic hat of layer upon layer of tulle.

Givenchy's gown of jewels. Feather flames licking at her heels

I lust for these beaded gloves.

Yves Saint Laurent - such amazing attention to detail. The high throated collar, red buttoned front which gives way to petals of sheer black panels of skirting

Like a Phoenix... Brilliant!

And another ... in white, as though she has dressed herself in a cloud.

Lanvin, applique on emerald green. The necklace steals the show. I personally, adore the headwrap. Great styling!

Such an incredible collection of artistry in design... my heart be still!