I want Carine Roitfeld's former title...

Of course, I'll need a signing bonus, a clothing allowance and, naturally, travel expenses to cover my move to Paris.  But otherwise I think I'm ready.  Okay, all joking aside, am I the only person who thinks that Ms. Roitfield's good-bye to French Vogue is a good thing?  Sure, she'll be missed as the creative powerhouse and visionary and style icon that she was (and still is) but I highly doubt she's going to disappear to the sidelines.  If anything, with all the attention she's receiving I'm dreaming up all sorts of new possibilities for her and her future.  And it's not even my own life.

While this shocker feels like a disappointment it's hardly surprising.  I think a decade is a pretty significant amount of time to spend at any place of employment. And to tell you the truth I'm surprised she didn't leave sooner.

Even if you don't care for fashion you have to appreciate the woman's longevity at French Vogue and the freshness she brought with her that fueled the magazine's art direction and in turn inspired countless others.  She legitimized fashion in the same way that Tom Ford did while he was at Gucci and I think even more so at Yves Saint Laurent.  And it's no wonder that these two love-birds have had such a strong affection for each other over the years.  Their natural flair and impeccable style speaks not just of good taste but also showcases the transformative power of fashion and it's ability to dictate trends around the world.

And while I wasn't planning to write about fashion today one thing led to another and now I have some 44 items to show you that I've personally selected which I completely adore.  If this post doesn't make you go, Oh my, then I have failed as a writer, but I hope, at the very least, you appreciate my efforts.

And if you've ever wondered why I have so many links to blogs/newspapers/websites on my page it's because I love checking them every day for inspiration.  I always discover something new, whether it's a new writer, a designer, a new shop, a book to read, an artist or recipe, or a new interior, or just a new website to look at.  Every day becomes less ordinary when you immerse yourself in the new.

I personally have always loved fashion.  Long before I wanted to be anything else, I wanted to be a fashion designer.  There were other things, many things, in fact.  There were applications to law school, business school, graduate school in journalism at Columbia and then fashion design (again) at Central St. Martins, an internship at Christie's and two interviews at fashion magazines all of which I was summarily rejected from.  But at least I can be proud of my acceptance to Parsons School of Design right after high school for the Associate degree in fashion.  It was so long ago and I had only applied to see if I could get in because I knew I could never afford to go but I never forgot my attempts.  To this day though I still can't sew a straight line so I think it was all for the best.  

In any event, I've always enjoyed reading about fashion more than I ever have about celebrities; the latter of the which I've never really understood except to view it as a wholly aimless North American phenomenon and shallow obsession.  I suppose if we had more people like Carine Roitfield on this side of the ocean then maybe our focus could be directed towards more creative pursuits than just living the lives of others most notably on TV.

Anyway, stopping there here are my top fashion pics.  Some are exhorbitant in price and luxury but I think are well worth seeing if only for inspiration.  I have omitted the prices so that my eyes could stop crying.  (Although the pieces from Anthropologie and Apart Style are quite affordable)...

1.  My first selection is this jacket from Canadian design duo Smythe.  I love the cut and colour.  Their jackets are always so slimming.

2.  Next is the Beryl Basket ring from Annoushka Jewellery in England.  It's so expensive, it's almost painful, but the design is stunning.  I found out about Annoushka, of all places, in The Economist's culture section.  

 3.  If it weren't for the lovely blog la portage rouge I would have never discovered a great new shop called Apart Style. This studded sweater dress is to-die-for.  It would look so great with the right type of hosiery.

4.  Here is another ring from Annoushka called the Sonora Pepple Ring made of sterling silver that "is meticulously hand-hammered to mimic the dappled surface of a Tibetan meditation bell".  Do I need to say anything more?

 5.  A purse, is a purse, is a purse, but I think a good one should last you a lifetime.  I don't know about you, but I'm extremely picky when it comes to what I'll wear on my shoulder.  This one I discovered after reading about Gwyneth Paltrow's shopping habits on GOOP and her fondness for a shop called Luisa Via Roma.  This bag is almost perfect.  It's made of soft leather, it's a smoky gray and most important, it doens't have those ugly zippers that are so ubiquitous on Balenciaga bags.  Plust it's a great size, both practical and solid.

6.  This ring is beautiful to look at and it's almost architectural in it's design.  I found in while browsing through notcouture, a great site for findings new trends in design.  It's available from a shop called Shop Acrimony.

7.  This sequined silk dress designed by Valentino, available from colette, is simply stunning.  It would be perfect for New Year's if you can afford it. 

 

8.  This mother-of-pearl, Manuela Seed Pod, ring from Annoushka is so original and nice I marvel at its beautiful design.  I don't even have words left to describe it.  I might just print this pic off and hang it on my wall.

9.  Here's a great bag from Stella McCartney.  It's a woven, cotton-blend, and chain trimmed that's available from net-a-porter.  It's a lot larger than it looks.  And I think it has a great shape; very chic too.

10.  This is a necklace from Anthropologie.  The shade of orange is simply divine.  I don't know whether these are supposed resemble cherries or some sort of plant.  I guess we'll never know.

11.  I don't think I could ever wear this coat except maybe in Paris. It's a goat, bi-coloured design by Lanvin available from colette.  I only wish my coat could look this warm.

 


12.  This "Gatsby" dress from Apart Style is gorgeous.  I love the line work and the detailing.  And how could I not love a dress named after my favourite book?

13.  This is a gold-leaf necklace from Annoushka.  What can I say?  It would look great on anyone's neck.   

14.  This sheer knit cardigan would go great with a lace camisole, (maybe one from Leigh Bantivoglio?).  With its ballet-wrap style and deep v-neck it's begging to show off some nice jewellery.  Available from Apart Style.

15.  Of course, you could always try pairing it up with this Lee Angel necklace from Netaporter.  I love how the gray almost looks like mohair.  It's so sophisticated.

16.  Ever since someone stole my chocolate pashmina I've been hesitant to purchase anything expensive.  But this one from Jimmy Choo is making me reconsider.  I like the mix of camel and brown tones.

17.  I wish sugar cubes would come in these shapes and colours.  These playful earrings are available from Anthropologie.  They almost remind me of Christmas ornaments in how they sparkle.  I guess if you want to be creative you can always hang them up on your tree.

18.  This is a light weight merino wool shawl from Virginia Johnson a Toronto designer.  I actually met her mother once, of all places, in a changing room while I was shopping in Yorkville.  This was before her daugther became popular.  She was trying on a flamenco red-black dress and she was the sweetest lady; I loved her name too, Plum, Plum Johnson.  If I recall correctly I think she was a publisher.  But anyway, I like this colour combination; gray, pink and white always go well together.

  

19.  This gray python clutch would go great with any outfit.  Designed by AKKESOIR it's available from Luisa Via Roma.

20.  This is another sweater dress from Apart Style.  Did I mention I want them both?  Seriously, I don't know where these people came from, but all I can say is, what took them so long?  This one has a bit of a Chanel element to it.

21.  These lavender lace earrings from Annoushka remind me of snow.  They're small and delicate and I think they would look great with dark hair.  They have diamonds in them too.

22.  This Lanvin skirt has a great texture, a beautiful pattern and a wonderful cut.  It's also available from Colette in Paris.  Or you can shop without snobs, as I like to say, and just purchase it online.

I am going to stop there and post the second portion tomorrow.  Stay tuned and please come back again as I have some more great finds to show you.  Believe me, you will not be disappointed.