{favourite five: photographer garance doré}

The New York Times refers to her as “the guardian of all style”, her beau calls her the “Illustratoriste” for her commended work as a fashion illustrator, Vogue.com named her one of the 40 women of the decade . . . clearly, French fashion blogger and photographer Garance Doré’s ultra-stylish influence has been felt by not only the fashion world, but the world at large.



Whether she is covering fashion week in Milan, snapping portraits of fashionistas in New York, posting personal chatty, witty -- yet simply charming -- monologues, sharing her photographs from the latest French Vogue editorial she shot, or displaying her collages and fashion illustrations, the street-style photographer & fashion illustrator's blog evokes a style that goes far beyond trends: the scope of her work is timeless and chic; it is for this reason, the fashion world is at her feet.


above: snaps of doré & a feature in interview magazine

Garance’s musings give us a rare glimpse into the thoughts of a fabulously stylish Parisian woman, and even though her posts imply French women are the masters when it comes to effortless style, they still have a few tricks up their sleeves, and this week, she lets us in on some of her style secrets . . .

......................................................................................................

{the top five things french women never leave home without:}

1. Baume Crème de Rose from Dior, for the pot & the perfectly pouty lips.

2. A pair of sunglasses -- to provide mystery!

3. A book by Françoise Sagan because she has an incredible perspective on life and was so rock'n roll -- in the French way, of course.

4. A pair of Repetto ballet flats (the real dancer ones with very soft soles) -- great after long hours in heels.

5. A pen. To write, of course, but also to put your hair up when you're tired of having it in your face. I don't know why, but every French girl does that!

......................................................................................................

{p.s.} previous favourite fives:
* interior designer: tricia foley
* jeweler: camille eddera
* artist: kimia kline
* actress & fashion muse: chloë sevigny
* floral stylist: denise porcaro
* entrepreneurs: rent the runway
* designer: rachel ashwell

~ laily

{images: from garance doré's blog, as well as previous posts, here & here; all collages compiled by this is glamorous}

DIOR: LAST DANCE WITH JOHN GALLIANO

You can't deny John Galliano's talent.Its a given gift that I know and that person feels it from the start of early teen days that you are born with it and you are talented.because everyone would start to say to you that you are talented.and you would know it.because it comes from inside.you can not ignore it.but sometimes its just not a continues thing to design to create.Rıfat Ozbek told in an interview something like he has done everything he did and time to retire.and my idole Rifat Ozbek is the most talented fashion designer ever I honestly think that I still cant believe that he doesnt design anymore but most designers dublicate their simple clothes calling them creative.John Galliano's last collection for Dior wasn't something new to me seeing in the previous collections of Dior.maybe its right for both Dior and Galliano to seperate and go for new ways and new opportunities.

John Galliano designed this collection without knowing its the last collection he made for Dior.maybe.I dont know if he would ever be back to Dior or go on or quit everything or go stronger.who knows? lets see.Rumour has it.Dior's new creative director will be  _____________________ ?

first two photos via nowfashion

// DIOR KNOW Y'ALL ALL CRAZY? //

Since the House of Christian Dior recently fired designer John Galliano due to his drunken, anti-Semitic remarks he made last week, there's been a lot of attention around the French label and the British designer lately.

I was sent a link today to the video above, featuring Marion Cotillard and Sir Queen Ian McKellen for the French fashion house, and started to do a bit of digging into their films. This led me to watch at least this first clip a few times as I was trying to get the plot of this video. So, Marion is some sort of magical lounge club performer, that can heal the handicapped with her voodoo booze and play muse to artistic carpenters - all in good ol' Londontown.....yup, that's all I took from it. Sue me.

I honestly don't know what to say about this video except some parts I thought were visually cool, like her Katy Perry wig in the dressing room. But the plot of the story - what's it all about? How the Dior woman is confident and sexy? I guess healing elderly, handicapped people via intoxication/seduction is totally cool and practical these days?

The next video I stumbled upon features one of my all time favorite dreamboats - Jude Law.  Guy Ritchie directed this clip and it feels sooo obvious he would.  You can always tell something is the doing of Guy Ritchie when it seems to involve something that has this underground, sneaky crime/mafia-esque dialogue, topped off with a British accent.

The short film is called "Un Rendez-Vous." I guess the point of this film is to say - "My cologne is so strong, you'll know when I'm near. And that's a good thing." But when I come to think about the story line of the film, is it trying to say that even though the woman acts subservient to Jude Law in most of the clip, at the end we find out that she is really his equal, or his other half?  Either way, the woman in this jazz could be a lot fiercer if she didn't have to meet hubby Juddy in a stripper's day uniform, which is a hat, rain coat, underwear, and heels, at least by Parisian standards.

Take a look at the short film below and tell me your thoughts on either of the films - especially if you think I'm full of crap and you just happen to have a degree in film or English or bullshit.

Combat Fashion: Military-Inspired Trend

Elle Spain
(This is what I'll be wearing next time I fly.)

What would be better to follow a post about military-inspired furniture than military-inspired fashion?  This trend is EVERYWHERE right now and I can see why. It's functional, comfortable, and so gosh-darn good-looking!

H&M Fall 2010
(I wish I could 'Bardot' my hair like that.  Note to self: grow thicker hair.)

H&M Fall 2010

Dior Pre-Fall 2010

Dior Pre-Fall 2010
(I DIE over this tweed number.  Do you think I could pull off those fur cuffs in real life?)

Dior Pre-Fall 2010
(The modern-day Rosie the Riveter, don't you think?)

Dior Pre-Fall 2010

NY Times Nov. 2009
(I didn't forget the men. Grrr...)

 The perfect compliment to this look is a great leather boot.  Anyone who knows me knows I like boots.  A lot. OK, I love boots. Maybe I'm obsessed.  OK, fine. My name is Brooke and I am a boot-aholic.

NY Times Nov. 2009
(The PERFECT boot.  I may have to get a pair custom made because I can't find these anywhere.  One day...)

Ann Taylor Peter Over-The-Knee Riding Boot
(I bought of pair similar to these last year and I would sleep in them if my husband would let me.)

BCBGeneration Adrice Boot

Piperlime Riding Boot
(The second most perfect boot)

Tory Burch Donovan Riding Boot

 To get this look, go for army inspired colors like olive, camel, and chocolate.  Look for skinny cargoes, capes, double breasted jackets, berets, sherling accents, and leather. Lots-o-leather.

Source Unknown

Source Unkown
(I know I should know this source.  If you know it, please let me know!)

Aryn K Military Jacket via piperlime.com

As with campaign furniture, this look has been around forever, so sometimes you can score a deal at second-hand stores.  My friend found a pair of vintage leather boots that lace up the back for around $10 a month or two back.  If they were in my size I would have stolen them by now.  Not that I approve of such behavior..