so it begins: ss11 lookbooks

It's January, so that means it's time for Spring lookbooks to start appearing (naturally...). While the runways were all about neon-infused 70s-meets-30s, I'm still wavering more towards the classic Americana. Where last spring was tough, hard, with studs and raw edged denim, this spring is yielding both a softer palette and shape. It's the Ralph Lauren influence rather than the Balmain.
Below, a few of my favs that have surfaced. Madewell, of course, was pared-down sportswear excellence. It was hard to chose a favorite among the spectacular loose blazers, high rolled shorts, and button downs (top pieces 1, 2, and 3 of my wardrobe) in honeyed khaki and navy. Recent import ASOS was wonderful too - tons of colorful stripes and flowing maxi dresses that cause me to lament my shortness.

Wildfox Couture White Label

ASOS

Madewell

Topshop

My one departure: I'm terribly in love with Prada's vibrant swirls and stripes. Since I definitely do not have the funds to get my hands on the real deal, I'll be searching for a diffusion. And definitely some round sunglasses.

Found this old Virginia Slims ad with the tagline "You've Come a Long Way". The Mad Men obsession in me is dissecting it. While I'm not so much into the whole ciggarette thing, I'm pretty much in love with the model and her style, whoever she is. It's such a perfect power-women concept: she's James Dean with sexier hair, and is totally eye-fucking you.

It may be for ciggs, but that doesn't make the sentiment any less true. Check us out now. Can you hear the chorus of "Man, I Feel Like A Woman" echo in the background?

Katharine Hepburn

Allison Mosshart

follow-up: Tom Ford SS11 video

As previously mentioned, Tom Ford has been slowly throwing tidbits of publicity for his womenswear collection like little treats to an obedient (and attention starved?) fanbase. The pictures of the tight-lipped show surfaced a month ago and now at long last we can see them breathe; the video, set to also-model Karen Elson's 'Pretty Babies', flashes between the recognizable struts of the modeling world's giants and backstage preparations, with flickers of Ford's own smiling handsome face as he emceed the show. Ford claims to have shied away from his 90s uber-sex vibe, but the video proves otherwise for the fashion obsessed, who are always hungry; brief enough to whet the palette but just short enough that we're right back where we started - eyes wide, hearts racing, begging for more.

this ain't no rodeo cowgirl

It was almost certain that True Grit would end up being one of the year's best films - the Coen bros. rarely disappoint and a dirty revenge Western was exactly what today's tired film industry was lacking, not to mention accomplished veterans Jeff Bridges and Matt Damon on the cast list. And while I'll always rank Bridges as one of my favorite actors it was 14-yr-old newcomer Hailee Steinfeld that really blew me away in her powerful role as Maddie Ross. She's sassy and headstrong and can ride a horse as well as a Texas Ranger; Steinfeld played the role to a T and drew herself equal to her considerably more experienced co-stars. I fell in love with the forest green overcoat she wears throughout the film, secured with a wrapped leather belt and accented with a matching wide brim hat. I'm a BIG fan of hats and this one made me sincerely regret not purchasing a caballero-style one while in Spain.

A quick Google image search of the young actress yielded even more delightful surprises: Steinfeld's red carpet looks from the premiere - a silvery vintage Moschino party dress and a classic Calvin Klein sheath and a side-swept ponytail - and a feature in Blackbook magazine where she's rocking some serious Bardot waves. Exciting new talent for sure and perhaps... a future modeling career? I could see it.