Rain Storms: How to Look Chic in a Rain Shower

Posted by Anne, Sep 9 2008, 02:24 PM in What to Wear

Looking good while staying dry is no small feat, especially at New York Fashion Week where everyone is scrambling from show to show trying their best to dodge puddles in their Pierre Hardy’s.  But with Fall’s updated, weather appropriate Wellies, a basic trench, and a statement umbrella you can look pulled together and totally in-season.  We’ve been seeing (and loving) traditional Wellington rain boots with some added height.  After all, there’s no need to sacrifice your wedge heels.  Our hearts are set on a stylish pair of Tretorn Plask rainproof boots.  Opt for a color aside from the traditional black such as “cypress”.  A great trench coat is an essential basic for every woman's wardrobe--so if you don't have one, then this would be a great investment for Fall. We pulled a Martin Grant trench from the Closet Couture Basics closet as an example, but we also love trenches by Miu Miu, Gryphon, and of course, Burberry.  You can limit your accessorizing to a great carryall bag and an umbrella, or you can opt of this kitschy umbrella-bag combo by Zambos & Siega--it’s a two for one!


Martin Grant Trench Coat from CC Basics closet

Zambos & Siega Umbrella Purse from Shopbop.com

Tretorn Plask Wellington Boots from Zappos.com

LA Retail Round Up: Part I

Posted by Anne, Sep 8 2008, 05:35 PM in Shopping + Trends

There are some new kids on the block, and we’ve picked our top 3 favorites:


Arcade – Luxury shopping at its finest.  Located near Melrose Place, this high-end designer emporium offers styling services for your wardrobe and your home.  Scour the racks for Vivienne Westwood, Alessandro Dell’Acqua and other hard-to-find designers.  Don’t miss: The fine jewelry collaboration with Neil Lane exclusive to the store. (photo shown)
8473 Melrose Place, West Hollywood 323-944-0018

TenOverSix – Owned by shoe designer Kristen Lee, this much buzzed about boutique focuses on accessories from more than 70 designers including Pamela Love, known for her macabre jewels.  Don’t miss: Home furnishings from Brooklyn’s The Future Perfect, which shares the space with TenOverSix. (photo shown)
7427 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles 323-330-9355

Confederacy – Helmed by celebrity men’s stylist Ilaria Urbinati and actor/dj Danny Masterson, this soon-to-be open store will be L.A.’s answer to Colette, purveyor of all things cool in Paris.  Expect to find designer labels for both men and women including Patrik Ervell, Comme des Garcons, and Proenza Schouler.  Add café’, art gallery, and vintage telephone booths as dressing rooms- what’s not to love?  Don’t miss: The “shoe living room”.  Enough said.  4661 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles (phone number and photos available soon)

Cropped Pants: Not Just For The Girls

Posted by Anne, Sep 8 2008, 07:07 AM in Shopping + Trends

The buzz around cropped pants for this season has been building since the shows last Spring, and if the first few days of New York Fashion Week are any indication, the trend is definitely living up to the hype. Girls and boys are rockin' the short pants in various styles--rolled cuffs, wide legs, and voluminous pants abound on the streets of New York this week.  The men pictured here were waiting in line for the House of Cassette show last night and I loved their effortless style. At Closet Couture, we love this look for both men and women--check out the Alexander Wang cropped pants in the Closet Couture Seasonal Closet--they are already on my wishlist.  Plus if you boyfriend can pull off the look then you will only need to pick up one pair to share this season!

What To Wear: MINI Rooftop

Posted by Justin, Sep 8 2008, 04:34 AM in What to Wear

In a stroke of pure genius, MINI Cooper, just in time for NY Fashion Week, has opened MINI Rooftop NYC, a space that will play host to a number of concerts, art exhibits, and other cultural collaborations through September 13. Their launch party featuring MGMT was the ultimate Fashion Week opener—Jessica Stam, Mary-Kate Olsen, and Julia Restoin-Roitfeld were in attendance. The space will generally be open to the public, and features a lounge area, a sun deck, and free WiFi access. We think we’ve found the perfect spot to update the Closet Couture Blog in between shows!

Our favorite little detail? MINI Clubman vehicles will be used to ferry visitors to and from the rooftop.

What to wear to the MINI Rooftop? A mini skirt, of course. For day, we'll tone ours down with a boxy boyfriend blazer and a super-soft sweater. A few of our favorite minis:

Black Flippy Miniskirt, Chloe.

Grey Velvet Miniskirt, Marc Jacobs.

Mustard Orsina Miniskirt, By Malene Birger.

All, available at Net-a-Porter.com.

Party Circuit: La Flash At LACMA

Posted by Anne, Sep 7 2008, 05:57 PM in Culture

Saturday night turned out the cream of the crop of style-setting Angelenos at LA Flash, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art's late night summer event.  In their most bold fashions, event-goers gathered to marvel at photos of street style taken 35 years ago by various photographers in LA.  Projected onto large screens, each photo was an inspiration and a tribute to the carefree days of fashion.  Mod, bohemian, punk-rock- it was all represented.  Photographers were also on-hand to snap the most creative outfits, all to be archived online.

photo credit: Museum Associates/LACMA

What To Wear: Ny Fashion Week Day Uniform

Posted by Justin, Sep 7 2008, 07:47 AM in What to Wear

With a week of shows to attend and a schedule that could turn even the coolest cucumber into a frenzied mess, Fashion Week requires some strategic wardrobe planning. We at Closet Couture are big supporters of sticking with what works season after season, so you’ll hear us throw out the phrase “Day Uniform” a lot—it’s the perfect term for our approach to Fashion Week dressing—and a good idea for any week when time is at a premium and you need to look fabulous.

We’ll be wearing a lot of separates—a big trend for Fall, but perhaps more importantly, a personal perennial fave. Soft blouses, printed silk skirts, louche trousers, and structured jackets will all be on tap this week, paired with sky-high statement shoes and our trusty Pierre Hardy tote.

Pierre Hardy Tote, available at Barneys.com. 

What To Wear: Alexander Wang After-party

Posted by Justin, Sep 6 2008, 08:32 AM in What to Wear

Fashion Week in New York is marked by scores of shows, of course, but they aren’t the only hot ticket in town: each evening is punctuated by a bevy of boites—including a number of show after-parties. The party of note tonight is Alexander Wang’s—which is sure to be packed with tons of downtown style-setters who love his menswear-inspired aesthetic.

What we’ll be wearing tonight:

3.1 Phillip Lim Equestrian Vest, available at LaGarconne.com.

Acne Black Leather Mini Skirt, available at LaGarconne.com.

Bally Buckle Ankle Booties, available at Net-a-Porter.com.

Anya Hindmarch Marano Box Clutch, available at Net-a-Porter.com.

Fashion Week Cliff Notes

Posted by Anne, Sep 6 2008, 05:08 AM in Shopping + Trends

There is so much to keep track of durning fashion week, and this season seems to be especially jam-packed with new designers, new collaborations, and New York "firsts." Here are a few tidbits to keep you in-the-know.

* Carly Cushnie and Michelle Ochs are the new star team out of Parsons that you should keep your eyes on.

* Accessories star Devi Kroell is adding a ready-to-wear collection this season

* Vena Cava designed a collection for Via Spiga this season

* British based designer Alice McCall is making her first New York debut

* Christian Francis Roth is back--he shows on Friday.

* Remember Akiko Ogawa--she's new and noteworthy

* Ralph Lauren's Party with Lebron James is a hot ticket

* Colette x Gap opens today and the covetable items are going to go fast

NY Fashion Week Party Circuit: RVCA & Erin Wasson

Posted by Anne, Sep 5 2008, 09:50 AM in Shopping + Trends

Last night's Lower East Side launch party for Erin Wasson's collaboration
with RVCA was a decidedly downtown affair. The cover girl brought her
trademark look--menswear-inspired pieces paired with perfectly worn-in
cutoff shorts--to the surf and skate line, resulting in a collection of
fitted vests, edgy denim, and cute dresses that were casual, cool, and
ultimately very California.

Accordingly, jeans and Ts were de rigueur for most last night, but the
interesting use of accessories was ultimately inspired: hats abounded, of
course, but we also spied piles of silver bracelets, fantastic belts, and
some serious eyewear.

Coach: Limited Edition Totes

Posted by Anne, Sep 5 2008, 05:45 AM in Shopping + Trends

Coach attracted the young design set this summer with an online contest to create a Coach tote.  Contestants were encouraged to look to iconic coach pieces for inspiration and mix this with their own design aesthetic. The result was a wide array of creative masterpieces from around the country. A panel of judges from Coach selected the winner--15-year old Grace Hia from Southern California. (Her design is pictured).  There was also a “high score” winner, Anh Huynh, who won based on web visits to her design. I think it is interesting that they created a panel to chose the winner instead of letting it be an online voting process, especially when the marketing behind the project was to promote a viral online contest. Hia’s winning limited edition design will be available in stores this Fall.