I am a creature of habit…drawn to the same designs (er designers). About a year ago I was browsing through Calypso on Broome in NYC, and came across a small rack of tops that I was truly impressed with. Then I found the perfect shirt. It was a muted lime green (with a hint of olive) halter top that used ivory-colored rope with wooden beads as the ties. It was sexy, cool, a little bohemian, and so definitely-me. So much so that I was almost able to justify spending the asking price of $242 on a ‘going-out’ shirt - then reality sunk in like a ton of cinder blocks and I had to race out of the store my head down. Around the same time I was online and came across some images from a recent runway show and thought ‘wow, I really like this collection’. Then..as if that wasn’t enough..I saw a dress I liked on Paris Hilton (believe it or not), Melania Trump, Lisa Rinna…a shirt I ‘yes’ tagged in Lucky magazine and I doggie-eared a page in InStyle magazine. Today..after a year of repeatedly falling for the same designer and not even knowing it, I was perusing girlshop and nearly fell off my chair when I viewed Ingwa; Melero’s boutique. Yes, that’s the impact this designer has on me. I quickly googled the designers and rediscovered all of the designs I’ve been tracking for a year. And as foolish as I feel, it now makes perfect sense.

The so very talented designer duo Ingwa; Melero has mastered the art of fusing edgy, sexy, classy and feminine. They are artists who incorporate handcrafting techniques, with fitted feminine silhouettes. And integrate snowflake doilies, leather cut-outs, crocheted chokers, wooden and stone beads and antique lace, all with impeccable precision.

Their 2006 collection shows flowing tops and empire waist dresses all finished with subtle details ensuring their work stands out from the rest. Yellowed-lace trimmed tops have the farm-girl allure, and dresses have the jewelry built right into the design. Chunky turquoise beads accent the elegant red straps of a dress downplaying a decadent design back to cool, for the earthy girl. Ingwa; Melero has once again taken design to another level with their ability to merge clothing and accessories into one exquisite piece.

Oh how I wish this was the pile at the bottom of my closet. Can’t you just smell the sweet combination of leather and moth balls? This is my vision of a great day: Walking into a no-name vintage shop and hidden under a rack, tucked far in the back corner and stumbling upon a dusty pile of couture vintage bags. I’m a fan of vintage shops (both Soho-style and off the beaten path), thrift stores, flea markets, estate sales, and even at times the Salvation Army. I’m a patient shopper and enjoy rummaging through bins for the perfect find. I don’t find it overwhelming but rather invigorating, because I know that there is something there, so unique..so rare and remaining just hidden enough until I discover it. Once I uncover my antiquated find, I get to work. I’ll redesign, alter, embellish, cut, tear, re-sew and essentially rework the piece until it fits or is a stylish updated version. Although some may be repulsed by the thought of another person wearing the article of clothing before you, I think the journey traveled and the history of a piece makes it that much more interesting. And I find there is certainly greater satisfaction in receiving a compliment on a piece that is rare and I had a hand in designing. One that will never yield the comment “I have to have it…I’m going shopping this weekend!”

In my opinion, ads like this allow the product to speak for itself. Not that I don’t enjoy the beautiful models and how the clothing is delicately draped on their frail bodies. I do. Most campaign ads create a lifestyle scene that their target customer is intrigued by, whether it’s relatable to their actual life or appeals to them on a fantasy level. But this Chloe ad eliminates any distraction (fluff) and for me evokes a feeling of nostalgia instantly triggering sensory memories. In this ad, there is no mistaking what they’re trying to sell. And I for one, am sold.

Oleg Cassini, who’s fame and fortune as a designer spanned over 7 decades died Friday, March 17 at 92 years old. Cassini, notorious for dressing some of the most prominent women of his time including Jacqueline Kennedy, Joan Fontaine, Joan Crawford and Hollywood starlets including the lovely Grace Kelly.

The Italian-Russian designer’s love of women in general may have been a contributing factor to his success as a fashion designer. “My philosophy is this: Do not tamper with the anatomy of a woman’s body; do not camouflage it,” he told The New York Post in 1961. He knew just how to dress a woman with a hint of sex appeal while keeping her dressed classy and sophisticated. During the early 1960’s when Eurpoean styles conveyed a more modest approach to dressing, with shape-consealing attire including the “sack dress,” Cassini, a true fashion revolutionist, created pieces that were “incredibly hourglass, body-revealing, high-impact, one might go so far as to say quite sexually charged clothing,” said Hamish Bowles, the European editor at large for Vogue magazine. “His aesthetic, however, remained always within the framework of 1950’s propriety.”

Perhaps best known for being the sole designer for Jackie Kennedy while JFK was in office, Cassini developed a wardrobe that matched her poise. “He very much understood the notion of creating a persona, a visual identity for Mrs. Kennedy,” said Mr. Bowles, the Vogue editor. He spoke of her grace and mystery-both hidden in the depths of her eyes. She had a “sphinx-like quality and her eyes, which were classically, very beautifully set,” reports Bowles. His incredible work with the First Lady spawned iconic trends such as the A-line dress and pillbox hat, which Jackie wore to her husband’s inauguration.

Cassini changed how women around the world view fashion. And although he is no longer here, his legacy and lessons of impeccable taste and the need for exquisite fashion will live on.

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Loving this dress. Designer Jessica Ciarla creates classic couture quality pieces teeming with modern coolness and rightfully cited by the New York Post as one of “the best designers you’ve never heard of…creating timeless, limited-edition pieces you’ll want to wear again and again.” Recently, I purchased an ivory Michelle Mason dress from the Fashion Pulse which resembles this cut. But now I wish I held out for this gorgeous frock. Not that I wasn’t pleased with my purchase, but I’m drawn to the black silk charmeuse trim that accents the neckline and waist. The dramatic contrast takes the design to a highly sophisticated level. And the long lean skirt, accented at the waist with a black sash detail makes the whole ensemble appear svelte.

My most current love affair is with silk jersey material. The stretchy fabric clings to your figure just enough to give shape, but allows for movement. And the lightweight feathery cloth- both delicate and comfortable is purely sexy. Comfortable and sexy…what more could a girl ask for?

While in theory, this is a clever idea (although I’m not sure it classifies as ‘groundbreaking’) chances are the average buyer is going to make a mess of these sneaks. Unless Adidas offered a paint-by-number version, most people I know wouldn’t know what to do with this paint set. And at the first sign of the grand vision not going as planned, frustration will quickly set in.

Normally I’m in agreement with style.com’s item of the week choices, or at least can see their point. But this time around, it’s purely a gimmick. At most the entire package should cost no more than $170. And when people attempt to personalize their new adidas kicks, they’ll end up spending $300 on a pair of shoes that look like the proud project from a 6 year old’s birthday party.

Listen up ladies! If you haven’t hit Target yet for the exclusive ‘Luella for Target’ collection..your time is running out. Luella Bartley, British designer (and ex-British Vogue writer) has had instant success with her innovative punk schoolgirl designs. Celebrities and style-insiders may have been the first to fall in love with her cheeky, streetwise ready-to-wear collection but she has opened the door for others when signing on with Target for a 90-day limited edition line. This certainly is not the first time a high end designer has crossed over to do a mass marketed line- Isaac Mizrahi works with Target and Stella McCartney designed a one-time only collection for H&M. Likewise, lady-Luella has experienced a similar welcomed response from her consumers.

Luella’s grand Target debut was February 2nd and ends April 30th..that being said it’s no surprise that the usual frenzy is clearing the shelves like termites in a forest. I have chosen a few of my Luella favorites both from her traditional high end line available at Net-a-Porter and from her Target collection. The difference in the quality of design and fabric is ample, but her flirty edge remains strong. Heavily influenced by UK streetwear, she almost convinces you it’s ok to wear a skirt with sneakers (tennis court not included). While many of her key pieces in Luella for Target are best described as being ‘cute’ her high fashion ensembles, although possess hints of girly flirtations are far more sophisticated. But when the price tag is slashed from $1,299 to $29 the demotion of fabric choices suddenly becomes acceptable.

Layering has been a favorite trend ever since C&C California was launched in the spring of 2003. In a search to make the ‘Perfect Tee Shirt’, the C&C gals designed a fabric that is lightweight, butter soft, and most importantly, ideal for layering. The look of layering was an immediate hit and as the seasons changed people began to get creative in order to hang on to the much loved trend. You’d see several different colored tanks layered on top of one another, tanks under tees, racer back under boy-cut, tangled colored spaghetti straps on shoulders…people couldn’t get enough of these thin wispy tanks. This season brings forth another variation of layering with a new twist. Spring 2006 shows casual cotton tees and tanks being worn under sundresses, corsets and camisoles. This is great for 3 reasons: 1) a night dress instantly turns into a day dress 2) plunging necklines aren’t as intimidating and 3) strapless becomes appropriate for all occasions. The name of the game is chic and casual. And what better way to dress down an outfit then to pair it with the symbol of casual-cool - a tshirt.

Free People offers a perfect example of how to wear a tee shirt under a cami. Allow the tshirt to be the background making sure it doesn’t overpower the top layer. Hints: Tshirt should be a neutral color and without writing or frills. Keep it simple and your wardrobe can expand tremendously. All the ‘too fancy for this occasion’ pieces can now come into play.