Coutorture

Shopping: Feminine Frills With A Hard Edge

coutorture — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:29:15 -0800

Clockwise from left: Marc Jacobs silk sequin skirt $1400 Net-a-Porter, Fendi silk chiffon ruffle top $1280 Net-a-Porter, Giambattista Valli bow belt $390 Kirna Zabete, Chloe bow-embellished suede pumps $1290 Net-a-Porter, Lanvin metal ribbon choker $1175 Kirna Zabete, Lanvin mini satin shoulder bag $1238, Fendi bow-printed tee shirt $305 Net-a-Porter.

Who says ladylike ruffles and bows have to be sweet? We prefer a slight edge with our frothy looks and gravitate towards ready-to-wear and accessories that mix innocence with a heavy dose of tough chic-think pearls paired with gold hardware, trompe l'oeil bows, and raw-edged chiffon.

Shopping: Strong Red Dresses With Soft Ruffles

coutorture — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 07:52:19 -0700

From left: 3.1. Phillip Lim Asymmetrical Ruffle Tank Minidress $450 @ Nordstrom, Preen Silk Ray Dress $1,765 @ Net-a-Porter, Caroline Hedaya $429 @ Shopbop

This season, with the ruffle trend at full force, strong red dresses have been rendered in softer silhouettes. Pair these frocks with nude pumps and black eyeliner for a classic but updated evening look. Preen's Silk Ray Dress might be our favorite this season, but for something a little less costly, we also fancy the offerings from contemporary labels 3.1 Phillip Lim and Caroline Hedaya.

Coutorture Community Must Reads 03/12/09

coutorture — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 14:48:54 -0700

Glowing Doll posted her favorite detail from the Jean Charles de Castelbajac runway show...

O.M.O. Writes voted for the colored metallic trend that was highlighted in this month's V Magazine.

Platinum Blonde Life gave a shoutout to a pop star's new video which features Louboutin for 3.1 platforms.

Speaking of ruffles on shoes, ShinyStyle has a love it or hate it moment with a flat pair by Omelle.

Coutorture Community Must Reads 01/21/09

coutorture — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 14:12:13 -0800

Confessions of a Shoe Girl found a television commercial that she finds to be a good summary of the difference between men and women...

Miss Couturable interviewed a former cast member of the television show Gossip Girl and gets to the bottom of some apparent rumors.

Cake Not Coke discovered a perfume marketed toward 20-30 year olds that seems more appropriate for the Disney set.

Margarite Elaine uses her spread-making skills to call up one of Spring's biggest trends: ruffles.

Spring Trend Report: Layered Tank Dresses

coutorture — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 10:09:19 -0800

Chris Benz Olivia chiffon dress Was $1195 Now $836.50 @ Net-A-Porter, LIFE with BIRD Battle Circus Dress $540 @ La Garçonne, Proenza Schouler Silk origami dress Was $1095 Now $766.50 @ Net-A-Porter, Shakuhachi Bust Frill Dress $177 @ Pixie Market, Alexander Wang Silk Combo Color Dress $365 @ eLuxury

Whether it's just one simple sheath or many, this spring we'll be seeing a lot of layered tank dresses. These dresses make for great everyday wear as they will keep you cool and breezy. Pair them with this season's flat statement sandals and you're set.

Soft Waves

coutorture — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 08:29:29 -0800

Bottega Veneta Ruffle bowler bag $5860 @ Net-A-Porter, Givenchy Scarf neck frill front dress Was $1858 Now $929 @ farfetch.com, Elle Ruffle Henley Was $38 Now $15.20 @ Kohl's, Alexander McQueen Chiffon pleated bustier dress Was $1738 Now $869 @ farfetch.com, Steven by Steve Madden 'Brunella' Sandal $148 @ Nordstrom, Frill Silk Bed Jacket $90 @ Topshop

Ruffles, transparency, and slinky fabrics were all present on the Spring 09 catwalks and we have to say--the combinations are just lovely. Nothing will take you from cold weather to warm more elegantly than these pieces. Layer them now and save them for evening affairs and then, come summer, pair them with cotton basics and moisturizer and hit the street. Perfection.

Manoush Reaches Our Ruffle Threshold

coutorture — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 11:16:00 -0800

Manoush Jabot Dress in Rose/Ecru $382 @ Revolve Clothing

French contemporary label, Manoush, has always had a place in our hearts thanks to their over-the-top femininity and quirky sense of humor--there's something about that combination that we like. When we caught a glimpse of this Jabot Dress we couldn't help but wonder if the design team wasn't poking fun at the ruffle trend taking over the contemporary market. Is it Manoush's femininity or sense of humor coming out in this dress? It's hard to tell. In any case, we like this dress but it does reach our ruffle threshold. The only thing more ruffled you'd find us wearing would be a Spring 09 frock by Cristian Lacroix because, well, his ruffles are too over-the-top not to love.

Wendy Nichol Spring 2009 Look Book

coutorture — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 08:00:12 -0800

New York jewelry designer, Wendy Nichol, has us dreaming of late summer, cotton basics, and tough but pretty jewelry thanks to her Spring 2009 look book. Whether its a delicate bracelet made edgy by way of raised spikes, or a necklace of gathered mixed-metal chains--there is a balance between hard and soft in this collection that will keep customers coming back for more. Nichol, who landed firmly in the jewelry scene with her signature snakeskin hoops and cuff bracelets, has since evolved her brand to include everything from key chains to earrings and at price points that range from contemporary to high end. Our favorite pieces from the Spring 09 collection are the gathering of leather ruffles which are made into both earrings and necklaces. To see Nichol's Spring 2009 look book, click the link below.

In The Showroom: Quail Spring 2009

coutorture — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 12:04:33 -0800

Of all the crop tops and ruffled tanks we've seen from contemporary lines this season, those by Quail really got our hearts racing--they were just the right length with layer upon layer of ruffles running down the back and they came in colored silks of emerald green, black, and chalky pink. Paired with androgynous trousers or tough statement heels, these soft pieces will balance out your Spring 09 look perfectly. Otherwise, there were full, short skirts, flutter sleeve dresses, and cocktail frocks that also came in a range of colors and could likewise be styled with the tougher side of Spring quite well. Check out the Quail Spring 2009 look book right here, and, our photos from the showroom right here.

The Ruffle Cocktail Dress

coutorture — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 07:12:39 -0700

Clu Ruffle Shoulder Dress $252 - Oak

3.1 Phillip Lim Ruffle-front shift dress $695 - Net-A-Porter

T-Bags Print Silk Ruffle Front Dress $277 - shopbop.com

Marc by Marc Jacobs Ruffled Firecracker Dress $328 - eLuxury

Alice Olivia Ruffle sleeve dress $385 - Net-A-Porter

Just because it's a cocktail dress exploring one of Fall's biggest trends, doesn't mean it has to be boring or expected--these five dresses, each with their own unique take on the ruffle trend, would suit a variety of personalities and aesthetics. The Clu dress, for example, shows how ruffles don't have to be ultra-feminine while the Marc by Marc Jacobs dress shows how they don't have to look like they're trying so hard. The three above show ladylike, printed, and sophisticated instances (from left to right) and they're all, in fact, quite different as a result. To be trendy and still have style, it's essential to stay true to your own preferences. Thankfully, when it comes to this trend, contemporary designers gave us plenty of options.