{fashion inspiration: dark sequins & gunmetal}

. . . when it comes to sequins, absolutely adore them all, and at any time of day, but always and especially drawn to the glittery gold ones best, and especially with champagne on a saturday night . . . that is, until recently, and now lately quite taken with dark sequins -- perhaps it is the festiveness of halloween or late-october's blustery, overcast skies, but whatever the reason, glimmering shades of slate and cobalt, black and navy, are suddenly altogether too bewitching to resist . . .





mask: monsoon | marano glitter clutch: anya hindmarch | sequined skirt: urban outfitters {via here} | glitter peeptoes: miu miu | nail laquer: dior vernis in black sequins & pure diamonds | vintage mercedes via a previous post | 22-karat gold-plated swarovski crystal earrings: kenneth jay lane | freja via a previous post





gunmetal cocktail dress & satin blazer: vila {via haute design}




ring: billy bride | lustro bracelet: j.crew | braided crystal chain necklace: j.crew | crystal cluster cuff: j.crew




{top image: bill blass via a previous post, final image: the vamoose}

{runway inspiration: elie saab, paris}

. . . it's back to the sophisticated seventies on the runways of paris, shades of silver and shimmery apricot and flows of jersey and chiffon, a dusting of sequins and pretty platform sandals, and all through the exquisite eye of the always stunningly elegant elie saab . . .

{style.com, more at a glamorous little side project}

{runway inspiration: valentino, paris}

. . . and after the fluttery fabrics of lanvin, the coral lips & shoes of j. mendel, and the pure romance of monique lhuillier, valentino comes along and changes everything . . .

{style.com, more at a glamorous little side project}

{a glimpse: beautiful balmain}

. . . impossibly elegant gilt-panelled walls and mirrored halls, velvet chairs and intoxicating bouquets of roses, softly pooling drapery and sexy tulle-enveloped dresses: a glimpse into the enchanted world of balmain . . .

{images: 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11 - joseph dirand architecture for balmain via the diversion project; 3 - magdalena frackowiak, paris fashion week - balmain spring/summer 2009 fashion show via fashionising; jacket via maison des rêveries; ;tulle skirt via a glamorous little side project; daria via a glamorous little side project}

{runway inspiration: monique lhuillier, new york}

. . . and as promised, another glimpse of monique lhuillier's perfect collection, resplendent with paillettes and drapes and flows, a dusting of sequins and magnolias hand-painted on organza and woven into jacquard and most of all, the promise of magical evenings, the ballet or dinner for two, or just hanging out looking gorgeous . . .

{p.s.} and to p, reminds me of you:
"If you are not too long, I will wait here for you all my life."

~ Oscar Wilde

{also:} more of this collection

{style.com}

{runway inspiration: monique lhuillier, new york}

. . . a longstanding love affair with monique lhuillier for as long as can remember, and couldn't possibly choose between such a stunning array of beautiful things from the spring 2011 collection, and so, not one, but two glimpses, the first, strewn in magnolias on silk and chiffon and belted in gold . . .

{style.com}

{live it up in a delicate dress}

. . . have had this editorial, oh so pretty: live it up in a delicate dress by georges antoni for aussie magazine grazia on the inspiration board for a while now, most especially for the little white lace dress by alex perry, but also because absolutely adore delicate dresses and dressing up, and every once in a while and especially on dusky and daydreamy afternoons at home . . .

{p.s.} happy, happy september! while shall always love summer best, september is a rather beautiful month, with the last magical afternoons of the summer, and the first brisk mornings of autumn, moments after the sun has risen and there's a feeling of change and adventure in the air . . .

{images: editorial - oh so pretty, nika lauraitis by georges antoni for grazia AU august 2010; styled by mark vassallo via dustjacket attic}

{runway inspiration: marc jacobs, new york}

. . . had mentioned earlier that have been positively living in light and floaty dresses all summer long and have absolutely fallen for the polka dots, pretty pastels, iridescent paillettes, shiny lamé, and embroidered lace flowers of marc jacobs' resort 2011 collection, undeniably stylish and perfectly pretty, and as perfect for a trip to the shops as for stargazing on a midsummer's night . . .

{p.s.} a few things:
* more fashion inspiration: how to wear sequins
* three more days: for the eames chair give-away

{images: style.com}