Designer Crush: Rachel Zoe?

You read that right. When I heard that Rachel Zoe was designing an apparels and accessory line, I couldn't help but think: LA's famously skinny stylist makes for great TV and puts together a killer outfit, but can she design?

Color me pleasantly surprised. Rachel Zoe's new collection is really, really cute. It's effortless trendy and luxe, but you still see hints of Zoe throughout: bell-bottomed pants, warm furry vests and boho maxis. There are pieces of all kinds: fun party dresses, a gorgeous black halter gown, pants, shorts, tops, coats... You could put together a great wardrobe with these pieces.

Any stylish woman of any age would look classic and sophisticated carrying her purses. I'm not mad about the velvet and furry trim on some of the pieces, and the heels, while they have Zoe's signature uber-high heels, are fabulous but nothing new.

The highlights:

Faux-Fur Vest, Tie-Neck Plunge Blouse & Zip-Cuff Skinny Jeans: $295, $225, $175 (My favorite casual ensemble - this blouse should probably be mine)

Tailored Tuxedo Jacket, Tie-Neck Plunge Blouse & Boot-Cut Tuxedo Pants: $425, $295, $275 (if you've been reading my twitter, you know I'm obsessed with white suits, and this one is exactly what I want - easy, breezy, boot-cut!)

Blouson Metallic Maxi Dress: $550

Wrap-Collar Cape & Cuffed Tuxedo Shorts: $695, $195 (it's so hot out, I know it's impossible to think about wearing a coat, but this one is sort of makes me want to wrap up in it... sort of)

Crocodile-embossed back pump: $295

Zoe snake-embossed tote: $650 (a little Birkin-esque, but I wouldn't kick it out of bed)

Remind me why I'm on this shopping hiatus again?

Pre-order Rachel Zoe's collection at Neiman Marcus now.

Mad about Mawi

Last week, I discovered the awesome website The Coveted. I mean, that alone is awesome enough.

But then the site introduced me to my new favorite jewelry line - Mawi. This jewelry house focuses on statement pieces in a few signature styles, infusing Deco, punk, Indian and industrial styles into glamourous baubles. Ultra contemporary with a nod to antique-y estate jewelry, the line is bold and ornamental without being gaudy.

The other good news? These pieces aren't astronomically pricey. Expect to shell out a few hundred dollars for a ring, and closer to $500 for a necklace. Basically, any of these would make a perfect statement piece in any outfit. Here are some of my favorites from the collection:

Claw crystal and spike necklace (my absolute favorite)
Ring with emerald centerstone and crystals
Crystal teardrop earrings
Giant jet black crystal cocktail ring
Jade tusk earrings (I love all of the jade tusk pieces - there is a coordinating bracelet and necklace!)

Want to get your hands on some of these gorgeous costume pieces? You can find select Mawi pieces on Net-A-Porter or check out their website here.

Pre-fall perfection

I posted my pre-fall favorites last Friday (check it here if you missed it), but I saved one very special collection for its own post.

Oscar de la Renta, you are a genius.

From the ladylike tweed skirtsuits to the edgier leather pants and skirts, from the classic and glamourous evening gowns to the on-trend wide-legged pants, the collection touched every fashion base with finesse. The diverse collection screamed uptown girl. There was literally nothing shown in this collection that I wouldn't want in my wardrobe immediately. (Not sure where I'd wear 8 evening gowns... Probably just to lay around the house like Marie Antoinette or something.)

Above, you have my favorite looks. But you can peep the whole collection over at style.com.

Designer crush: Honor

I am just dying over this collection. It's so chic. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves

Credit: The Fashionista's Blackbook

And if Honor's collection is any indication, I need to run - not walk - to buy a turban.

Designer crush: Lorick

Abigail Lorick, well known as the designer behind Gossip Girl's Eleanor Waldorf, has been on the scene for a few years. A young designer, she's had several successful showings over the past couple years, and her stuff has sold quite well on Gilt Groupe (I'm never able to buy a piece!).

Her Spring/Summer 2011 collection, Linear Dawn, featured a very pretty, muted color palette with sheer fabric accents, cool hats, and socks with heels! Here are some of my favorite looks:

Credit: Style It

And here's a current look that just might make its way into my closet (Serena and Blair actually wore this dress on Gossip Girl during an episode where they act as models for Eleanor's line):

Barlass Dress, available at Revolve: $237

Designer crush: Christian Siriano

Let's be honest: My crush on Christian Siriano goes beyond his clothes. I fell in love with Christian Siriano - maybe in the sort of way you love your dog or other adorable pet - in his Project Runway days. One of the few PR contestants whose self-confidence/ego didn't repulse me, Christian Siriano sort of deserves to be the young virtuoso that he has become. In addition to being a shrewd businessman (hello, Payless collection) and capitalizing on his PR popularity, he has started dressing stars on the red carpet and churning out thoroughly wearable collections. Not to mention, he's hilarious.

His Spring 2011 collection is exactly the sort of thing I want to wear. I realize it's not anything ground-breaking, but who needs ground-breaking when you can have chic, sophisticated marketable clothes?

Here are my favorites from his collection:

An effortless shirt dress with an uneven hem (the longer hem in back was very popular on the runway this fashion week) and a super-wide belt creates the perfect feminine silhouette.

This was not the only white suit shown on the runways this fashion week, but the interesting ruffle makes this one stand out.

Chic menswear pants with a great halter-style white blouse and again, a nice belt to cinch it all together. Fierce!

A bold power suit that certainly makes a statement.

Leather can look hard, but in this soft, rich brown, it looks like something I need to have in my closet, like, tomorrow.

A sexy, Grecian inspired sparkly mini with a chic tailored white coat? The styles almost clash, and yet Siriano makes them work.

Nest time I go to a cocktail party, I want to wear this fun blush colored number. I love the sparkly belt and the ruffle on the side, while it may not be for everyone, makes this dress different from the rest.

This dress makes me think of a city-chic wedding dress for someone who decided a long dress wasn't for them.

Signature Siriano evening wear - big, bold, ruffles for days. This dress makes me think of Carrie Bradshaw's American Girl in Paris Versace dress, except if Christian Siriano designed it!