Oakridge Style

We adored Stella McCartney’s Fall collection for GapKids. Oh, the gray skinny jeans with ankle zippers, the sweater dress with a leopard on it, and cable-knit cardigan dress. Not to mention the military jacket. Many of her hoodies, jackets, tops and pants were meant to be worn by both boys and girls. The kids in our lives never looked better.

It was said to be just a one-off collection. Get in, and get it before it’s gone. Lucky for them, and us, McCartney has signed on to do a Spring collection, too. Apparently, the Fall pieces were so well received, Gap head honchos can’t conceive of going into another season without her. Though details of what the line will include have yet to be released, we’re hoping that, like the Fall collection, it will mimic the delights she did for adults in the same season.

On that note, we bet our trés skinny friends will be angling to try the pieces–officially for kids up to age 12–for themselves.

Get the Look
Find your runway-adorable looks at GapKids at Oakridge.

Spring 2010 fashion weeks showed a rainbow of color on faces. In New York, a few of our favourite designers deserve mention. In Milan and Paris, different looks were everywhere–but highlighting one feature was tops. 

New York
A rainbow of colours set off eyes at Derek Lam
Bursts of color were wrapped in hair at Zac Posen
Rodarte created tribal art-inspired body paint
Geisha-inspired makeup complimented the collection at Marc Jacobs
Tuleh showed rosy faces
Tommy Hilfiger did dreamy blowouts 

Milan and Paris
Balenciaga did neon and tribal influenced eyes
Charcoal, smoky eyes were sultry at Lanvin
Glossy, red-hot lips shone at Prada
Plum kisses put purple in the spotlight at Bottega Veneta
Hair was frizzy at Etro, and even bigger–in full afros–at Louis Vuitton

Get the Look
Ask the pros at Murale or MAC for tips on how to pull this look off, and what beauty products will work best for you.

LET’S HEAR IT
Highlight one feature or all?

It’s all going down, all over the fashion news scene. The furor over Ungaro’s initial appointment of scandal-loving Lindsay Lohan to position of artistic advisor was huge. Even fashion industry insiders who initially refused to comment couldn’t hold their tongue, blurting that, “it must be a publicity stunt.” (Sorry, we can’t reveal who said that.) The brand’s president, Mounir Moufarrige, essentially agreed; when asked about the decision to have Lohan sign up, he explained that “It’s the clothes that talk. People are interested, and our business is to sell.”

So people are interested–witness the backstage media scrum and TV cameras at the Paris Spring 2010 show. But will the people buy? Sources say the Ungaro shops are busier than ever. But Lohan’s recent collection, a tandem design effort beside Ungaro designer Estrella Arch, horrified fashion critics. Leggings paired with bra tops and heart-shaped nipple pasties might work on Rihanna and Lady Gaga, but critics were unimpressed. Initially saying the experience was “a fairy tale”, Lohan quickly changed her tune once the reviews were out, blaming “coming in so late and not having that much time to do a whole collection.”

The best that can be said: at least they tried.

Get the Look
Find tips for a classier take on leggings and sexier dressing, and where to get the look at Oakridge, here.

LET’S HEAR IT
Lohan: artistic advisor or publicity stunt?

Maybe it’s in reaction to the industry’s recurring fascination with Goth and Vampire-influenced pieces (think Rodarte for Spring 2010, and the Twilight cast in many many many-point taken?-fashion mags and blogs). Maybe designers are resisting their marketing departments’ demands that they produce clothing that will actually sell to recessionistas. Or maybe they’re tapping into their inner Disney experience.

Whatever it is, certain fashion industry creatives and stars are hyping mermaids. Yup, mermaids. Euro-indie superstar designer Haider Ackermann might have started it, with his mermaid-silhouette maxi skirts  (loved by edgy stylistas like Tilda Swinton). Or perhaps it was Thom Browne, with his warrior-mermaid Spring 2010 collection. We don’t think Bebaroque’s mermaid-laden tights could have sparked it, or pop star Mika’s new album promo vehicle-a collection of illustrations by fashion designers–even though Alber Elbaz did draw a fin-tailed swimming beauty inside. Actress Veronica Webb’s recent ocean-hued, mermaid-flared gown could have had something to do with it.

Whoever it was, and for whatever reason, mermaids are it at the moment, and we’re just thanking our lucky fashion stars that we can opt to adopt it by pairing flat boots with our mermaid-flared maxi skirt and a casual T.

Get the Look
Find your favourite mermaid-flared skirt or dress at After Five (pictured).

LET’S HEAR IT
Care to channel Ariel?

While watching the shows for Spring 2010, we noticed something about the hair. Whether slicked back or poofed up, it was wet–or at least cleverly disguised as damp. Whether combed back at Jen Kao and rag & bone, parted down the centre at Marc Jacobs, or pulled back into updos at Chado Ralph Rucci and Zac Posen, the designers sent models down the runway with hair loaded with product. Considering the trend for your own new look?

Consider these 5 dos and donts.
Do: pair slicked-back pony tails and updos with thick-rimmed glasses and tailored jackets

Don’t: match long, wet-look tresses with anything you’d wear to the office

Do: risk envious stares while parading the sidewalk with wet-look, just out of the shower, loose ‘dos matched with casual, highly stylish gear

Do: strut your stuff in elegant evening wear made sexier: dry hair made wet from forehead to ear tips

Don’t: make it obvious. This look is all about wet, not weighed down with product

Get the Look
Get your runway-inspired ‘do, or simply the one that’s just right for you, at Botticelli for Hair or Hennessey Salon and Spa

LET’S HEAR IT
What would you pair with wet-looking hair?