ACCESSORIZED FROM HEAD TO TOE

The delicate touch of a dotted veil over slicked back hair and punctuated

beneath by marigold lips. The billowy ruffle of a one shoulder cocktail dress

with the bare shoulder accented by long taupe leather evening glove topped

with two delicious crystal floral cuffs. The sum total of brilliant styling.

The unexpected veiled cape with fur details...

The play of soft and hard... fur glasses

Going back to what a purse should be... not a suitcase but an accessory for necessities.

A french maids white collar, cinched waist, golden mask, decorative hand cuffs and tied ankles...

bondage anyone?

Neutral with crimson red... yum!

Model: Natasha Photographer: Willy Banderperre Stylist: Nicoletta Santoro

WINTER WONDERLAND

Dashing through the snow with a fabulous grey knit sweater with short shag sleeves, long leather gloves and a wonderful fluffy white skirt.

A cable knit crimson sweater with black fur collar and black pencil skirt.

What's not to love about all these knits. Puts me in a ski lodge kind of a mood.

What a glorious fur hat.

Model -Di Juam

Photographer - Richard Ramos

Styling by Yi Guo

THE BEAUTY IS IN THE DETAILS

Wrapped in crimson head to toe. A flowing skirt with a dangerously high slit exposing not only a leg but a tiny underskirt and all toped off by a sumptuous knit jacket. Layering at it's most glamorous!

Monochromatic. Her hair, skin and dress... all neutral. A wall tapestry is her pop of color.

Neutrals with a hint of pink. The gown with it's seemingly effortless draping by contrast to the dramatic yet soft, raw edged ruffling of sheer silk crȇpe Georgette contained by a double buttoned cuff. Both very reminiscent of the fabulous lingerie of the 1930's and 40's.

This sweeping gown is such an amazing neutral with taupe and purple hues...

it echos the colors of the stone wall behind her.

In the mid 1500's a farthingale made it's first appearance. A petticoat of sorts, made of the same fabric but lined with whalebone, wood or wire to hold out your skirts. Another case of underwear becoming outerwear. This stunning little architectural cocktail dress is a "farthingale" come full circle. We've come a long way baby!

The tie-dye effect of the 1960's is used in neutrals and muted reds to give the marbelized pattern to the fabric of this beautiful dress, but the pièce de résistance is the shrug that tops it.

A sea of florets matching colors in the gown. Like a hand-stitched flower bed.

Mariana Idzkowska shot by photographer Justin Wu and styled by Nicolas Kuttler.

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.