I ♥ Your Style: Leelee Sobieski

Leelee Sobieski caught my attention for the second time (the first time being in Eyes Wide Shut) when she sat across from me at a benefit about a year and half ago. She had cut her signature long hair very short, and it was gelled up and sculpted back off her face a la Princess Diana. Sounds kinda scary, right? But actually no. She looked incredible. She did actually look very much like Princess Diana, but in a more modern, sophisticated way. I haven't seen her in person since, but I notice from photos that she's let her hair grow out to a bob and she's refined her style in a minimal/classic way that is very American, very Lauren Hutton. And there is not greater compliment I can give than compare someone to Lauren Hutton. I hope she settles into this style and keeps it simple. 

Dreaming is Free: Junya Watanabe's Trench Coats

The trench coat is such a traditional piece of clothing that even when they are designed with an eye towards irreverence, they're still classic. If you follow fashion, you'll know that I'm talking about the trench coats in Junya Watanabe's spring collection. Every girl sitting in that show wanted one of those coats - the cape version, the cropped version, the navy one, the tan one, the black one. They are just enough fashion, without being too "look at me," and they are just classic enough, without making you feel like you're buying something everyone else will have. To put it practically, they are super chic and they are money well spent. And no worries - if you need to save up for one, he made equally inspired versions coming for Fall. 

Get them here and here

Collaborations

I was looking at Boaz Mazor's apartment on The Selby the other day, and I noticed these collages in his bedroom. One is clearly an Andy Warhol / Frank Stella collage and the other is Warhol / Stella / Roy Lichtenstein collage. What on earth are they? Was there a collaboration between these artists I didn't know about? Or is a DIY project made from postcards and gallery announcements? Whatever it is, I'm diggin' it. They remind me of the Warhol/Basquiat collaboration paintings from the '80's.  I wish more artists and designers would collaborate with each other. Maybe that will be the next fashion collaboration trend - designers collaborating with each other. Its been done before in small ways (see below - I have a printed Alaia t-shirt made by Comme Des Garcons), but I'd like to see it in a bigger way. Come on Rick Owens + Lanvin! Proenza + Junya Watanabe! Christopher Kane + Narciso Rodriguez! Get it on! 

Hello, again.

Hi there. I'm back! 

So, recently my family and I made the decision to spend a year on our farm in Oxfordshire, England. I am calling it my "creative sabbatical." First on my agenda? To get my blog and up and running again. I also have ambitious writing plans for the next year, and you all will be the first to know about them as they unfold. In the meantime, here is a look at my future dwelling, all about which I will share when I arrive there at the end of June. Stay tuned!

Au Revoir

Dear loyal friends and readers,

Good news and bad news. I always like the good news first so here it is: I've been hired to be the new Fashion Director at Barneys! I am really excited. I started this week and have been loving it already. It is my DREAM JOB! The bad news is that I won't be able to continue this blog. Its important for me to put all of my energy into helping to make Barneys the most exciting, inspiring and chic place to shop in the world. But here's the silver lining - I'll be blogging for Barneys! You can follow me here starting today.

I can't thank you all enough for the loyalty and enthusiasm you have shown me in this short time.

Love,

Amanda

I ♥ Your Style: Anita Pallenberg

In the last few weeks I've been reading Keith Richards' autobiography, and he inspired me to revisit Anita Pallenberg's boho rock-chick style. I'm not sure I've ever come across anyone who is as cool as she is. You can see how and why Kate Moss is inspired by her.

Snapshot: Karen Elson on vinyl

My friend Randall Poster, who is the music supervisor for all the best films, gave me a 45 of Karen Elson's latest song. Beyond the chic cover image, and the fact that it's Karen Elson whose style AND music I love, I'm most enthralled by the fact that it's a record! I do actually own a record player - I bought it at a yard sale on Shelter Island a few years ago. It's the most popular item in our summer house - people love to DJ on it. Can't wait to play this one. I might have to frame the cover.

I ♥ Your Style: Muriel Brandolini

I'm not sure if anyone has more style than Muriel Brandolini. She's stylish in the way she looks and in the way she lives. She has chic clothes, the most amazing jewelry, incredible homes and she's a fantastic cook. The quality I admire in her most is the confidence she has in doing things differently, in breaking the rules. Case in point: the other day I was sitting in her kitchen watching her make a salad nicoise. She cut all the incredients with scissors instead of a knife (she said it's easier that way), and then she put on rubber surgical gloves and tossed the salad with her hands. She said, "Food always tastes better when you touch it." She was right. It was delicious. 

I ♥ Your Style: Diane Kruger's bow tie look

Back when I was researching my book I noticed that Diane Kruger loved Chanel, especially a black and white bow tie look. Since then I've seen her riff on that same look again and again. By now it's safe to say it has become somewhat of a signature for her. I love almost any girl who develops a signature. It shows discipline and confidence, two crucial ingredients in creating your own style. It would be too much if she wore this look all the time, but I love how she returns to it every now and then.

I ♥ Your Style: Susanne Deeken

It gives me a real high when I discover a new chic girl that I've never heard of before. In Susanne Deeken's case, I met her at a friend's house for dinner. When she walked in she immediately caught my attention because she was wearing the Chloé jumpsuit I'd been coveting (pictured below - it looks like a sweater and pants with a belt but actually it's all one piece!). It didn't take me long to notice that her style, while for the most part subtle and classic, was just absolutley perfect in both proportion and detail. It didn't take me long to find out that she's Marc Jacobs' muse and for a minute I thought she might be one of those uber-cool girls that are really hard to talk to. But she was generous and laid back and funny! The other day I saw a picture of her on my friend Chelsea's Cat Party blog, and it reminded me to dig up some photos of her. Enjoy!

White Magic

I'm going to Palm Beach next weekend, and I'm starting to think about what I'm going to wear. I learned today that my Thakoon resort order will be ready by then which will be perfect because it consists mainly of breezy tops and cute shorts - perfect for a sunny Florida getaway (looking at the 15-day forecast it looks like the thermometer will hit 80 while I'm there!). The one thing I still need to get is a pair of white sunglasses. I've never owned a pair but I love the quirky, oddball glamour they project. Who knows what they'll look like on me, but I'm going to try anyway. Here's my inspiration:

Snapshot: Carlyne Cerf de Dudzeele

I went to a birthday dinner last night and saw stylist Carlyne Cerf de Dudzeele there. It took me a minute to figure out her handbag situation. I first noticed the white Chanel bag on the signature white chainlink strap, but then realized that she'd attached a black bag into the white strap too. It looked really cool. I reached into my purse to snap a shot and realized I'd left my camera at home. Damn. I thought about it again today - it was haunting me. Then I thought I'd google her to see if I found any great photos of her - she has amazing style - and first up was this shot Terry Richardson took of her unique handbag combo. Voila! Thanks Terry!