Valentino: The Prettiest Couture Collection of Them All

The work that Pier Paolo Piccioli and Maria Grazia Chiuri are creating at the helm of Valentino just keeps getting better. When a famous designer leaves a fashion house, especially when that designer is the label's creator, there is so much pressure on the label's successor (i.e. Yves Saint Laurent taking over at Dior, Tom Ford replacing Yves Saint Laurent, Sarah Burton carrying on Alexander McQueen's legacy). Yet, Piccioli and Chiuri have not only retained the style elements that Valentino himself established so firmly, but they have also brought their own unique vision to the brand, as Tim Blanks pointed out in his review for style.com. Their couture collection for Spring 2011 was another outstanding example of this.

What I love most about this collection is its overall feminine and delicate mood. I love pieces that are overtly feminine- bows, ruffles, satin, etc. I adore it all. The color palette of soft ivory, pale pinks, and nude tones was also pitch perfect. Of course, there were a few dresses in Valentino Red, but overall the shades were ethereal and light. The impeccable craftsmanship, however, is what separates the couturiers from the amateurs, and Piccioli and Chiuri are above all else couturiers.

Look 24, modeled by Kamila Filipcikova, is my absolute favorite dress from the entire collection. I love the one-shoulder silhouette, the ruffled collar made of butterfly cut-outs (genius!), the bow at the waist, and most of all, those dazzling shoes. All of the shoes in this collection were flawless, but this is my favorite pair.

Is this not the prettiest dress you have ever seen? Again, I am in love with that butterfly neck piece!

This dress has a vintage, antique feel to it that I am always happy to see on the runway. Wasn't it Valerie Steele who said that designers need to have knowledge of fashion history in order to create the clothing of tomorrow? It was something to that effect, and I completely agree.

I am reminded of the Valentino dress that Michelle Williams wore to the Golden Globes when viewing this delicate black and ivory number. While sartorially stunning, the dress did not receive many accolades outside of Vogue. I, of course, loved it almost as much as this soft dress.

I find myself taking a trip down memory lane with this ensemble, too. My friend Emily wore a pleated skirt just like this one when we were in college. Hers was not sheer, but it did have the same diaphanous feel to it as this Valentino creation. Everyday is a runway, after all!

Again, we have all of the new Valentino signatures encompassed in one breathtaking dress.

This collection was just so beautiful! I would dress like this everyday if I could. Encore!

(**photos from style.com**)

Time for Spring Couture Already?

It's a little difficult to become excited about spring when there are mounds and mounds of snow outside. Yet, fashion constantly pushes us forward, ushering in season after season of new looks. I only just finished digesting the RTW shows, but it's already time for another round of collections. Ready or not, here's a brief glimpse of Dior Spring 2011 Couture.

My countrywoman, Magdalena Frackowiak (yes, she's Polish!), looks fantastic in this dark navy and pale blue dress. The styling, while reminiscent of Fall 2010 Couture, is still impeccable in my eyes.

Could anyone else picture the former Betty Draper in this ensemble? I love the structured jacket and pleats, but most of all, I am crazy about a cinched waist. Perfect!

This has a conservative playfulness about it that I can really appreciate. It's also incredibly feminine and delicate. Galliano's range never fails to astound.

This soft confection looks like it was made for the red carpet. Tailored to the knee, it's the perfect multi-purpose dress for the office, social engagements, travel, shopping, etc., etc. It can be next to impossible to find the utility in couture sometimes, but it is meant to be worn, yes?

I kept coming back to this metallic knee-length number. I particularly like the effect of the bubble on the skirt. I have a piece like that and it's one of my most-worn items.

And, the man behind the magic. Is John Galliano not the coolest person on the planet, or what? I don't know when or how, but I'm going to meet him someday.

To view Galliano's full collection for Dior Spring 2011 Couture, head on over to style.com, the site from whence these beautiful photos came.

Flawless Rodarte

Kirsten Dunst wore one of my favorite dresses of the year to the recent Art of Elysium Heaven Gala. The dress by Rodarte is an ethereal blend of colors, patterns, and textures: mint green mixed with jade and turquoise, heavy fabrics encased by soft satin, and bold prints balanced out by faded details. The Mulleavy Sisters are always quick to say that the idea for a dress came to them in a dream, but this beautiful frock looked like it truly was inspired by a heavenly deep slumber. Absolute perfection!

(** photo from vogue.com**)

The Wisdom of Samantha Brown

She can usually be found jet-setting around the world, staying in fabulous luxury hotels, and visiting the best of what the planet has to offer. This past weekend, however, Samantha Brown came to Columbus, Ohio. She spoke at the AAA Travel Expo, which was located downtown. My friend Leah, who is both a travel agent and avid traveler, invited me to attend the Expo with her.

I was really looking forward to hearing Samantha Brown speak. I've been watching her shows since "Great Vacation Homes," but it was her "Passport to Europe" series that really won me over as a fan. I love how her travel experiences, while rarefied and highly unique, are described in her personable way, making her show strangely relate-able. She makes it seem like anyone can travel and have these life-changing experiences. She conveyed exactly this message when she spoke at the Expo.

I found two topics during her presentation to be deeply profound. First, she spoke about how her travel experiences have given her more confidence in every aspect of her life. I've found the same to be true from my own experiences. Traveling to another country definitely requires a certain level of confidence, especially when you are traveling by yourself or without the comfort and ease of an organized tour. My sister and I have both traveled around Europe by ourselves, sometimes arriving in a city without any reservations or concrete plans at all. Traveling like a vagabond forces you out of your comfort zone, allowing you to meet people that you otherwise never would have spoken to. You also have to figure out every single detail of your travels completely on your own, building problem-solving and communication skills. There is a sense of accomplishment that comes with this kind of travel that I'm not sure can be achieved any other way.

Secondly, Samantha (we're on a first-name basis now) spoke about how important and vital traveling really is. She stressed that it is not some frivolous act merely for the privileged few, but an opportunity to greatly improve one's life. I couldn't agree more! I find it so upsetting when traveling is downcast as a "vacation" or considered prodigal and wasteful. Any opportunity to explore the world and see how other people live is a worthwhile one.

While I loved Samantha Brown's presentation (even the somewhat awkward Q&A from strange members of the audience...), there was one huge downside to it that Leah and I discovered. Our minds were spinning with all of the places we want to visit!

Thank you, Samantha Brown!

(P.S. How fabulous is her dress?! I love it!)

Mrs. O Radiates in McQueen

Please allow me to be the ten thousandth person to comment on how beautiful First Lady Michelle Obama looked in her red Alexander McQueen dress at the state dinner for China's President Hu Jintao. She looked absolutely regal in this dress! Who knew there was a political figure in the U.S. fashion-forward enough to pull off a gown by McQueen?!

Mrs. O always looks wonderful at official dinners and functions, but she really needed to step it up a notch for this particular event, given who would be in attendance. The guest list for the dinner included a diverse array of leaders from all facets of industry: politicians (Hillary and Bill), celebrities (Barbara Streisand, Michelle Kwan), and fashion professionals like Anna Wintour and Vera Wang. Celebrated musician Yo-Yo Ma was there, too. As far as I could tell, no one in the room looked as radiant as Mrs. Obama. Ms. Wintour looked chic, but not statuesque like our First Lady.

I love that we have a First Lady who both has fun with fashion and is a friend to the fashion industry. Not since Jackie Kennedy have we seen a First Lady make this much of a statement with fashion. We'll be talking about Mrs. Obama's influence on fashion for decades to come, no doubt.

So, what is it with the D's and fashion? They just always get it right!

(** photo from nyt.com**)

Into the Gloss: High Fashion Meets the World of Beauty

Visitors to the new beauty website, "Into the Gloss," can be forgiven for thinking that the page resembles the clean, organized layout of that other fashion powerhouse website, Vogue.com, for the site was created by Vogue alumna, Emily Weiss. What makes Into the Gloss such a unique site is that it combines elements of beauty, style, and personal adornment with a high-fashion, yet relaxed feel. There aren't many websites run by individuals that can attract the likes of Sally Singer, Anna Della Russo, Karlie Kloss, Genevieve Jones, and Arizona Muse, just to name a few. Yet, Into the Gloss provides interviews, photos, and commentary from some of the fashion industry's leading professionals. I've also noticed that Derek Lam has commented on the site. Not too shabby, eh?

Into the Gloss creator Emily Weiss interned with Teen Vogue before leaving for the greener pastures of Teen Vogue's older sister, Vogue, where she worked as a fashion assistant. I haven't noticed her name on the recent masthead, but I believe she may still be contributing or freelancing for the publication. Either way, she received great support from Vogue when she launched the site late in 2010. Since then, the blog has featured new makeup from Chanel, Lancome, and Revlon; makeup and beauty advice from insiders like Vogue's Kelly Connor and Marie-Amélie Suavé; and new products from Korres and Breydo Parfums.

Being associated with Vogue certainly means that Ms. Weiss is privy to many products and people that someone with a different kind of professional background truly wouldn't be. She hears and sees what is new first. So, if you're interested in the inside scoop in the high-fashion world of beauty, Into the Gloss is the site for you. Since one never knows who or what will appear on the site next, it definitely makes Into the Gloss one to watch.

(** photo from intothegloss.com**)

20 More Places to Visit in 2011

If you're still making travel plans for 2011, National Geographic Traveler also has some suggestions for you. The magazine's twenty recommendations are off the beaten path, adventurous, and, like a few of the NYT's recommendations, a tad suspect. (Apparently every publication thinks Americans should be heading to Kurdistan and Tunisia this year...?) Overall, I really enjoyed these travel suggestions and would love to add them to my very long list of places to visit in my lifetime.

1) Mongolia

Why? To visit the Gandan Monastery, view Stone and Bronze Age artifacts, and attend the Naadam Festival.

2) Plitvice Lakes, Croatia

When my sister and I were in this area of Croatia, we were propositioned about a million times to take a boat ride out to see the national park and lakes region. The price they offered was outrageous, so we unfortunately had to decline the usurious offer. Maybe we should have made the splurge? Nat Geo seems to think it's a place worth visiting.

3) Sardinia, Italy

I'm already sold on this gorgeous island. I bought a used copy of the DK Sardinia guide a few years ago and have been wanting to visit ever since. I'd like to get beyond the Costa Smeralda, though.

4) Tasmania

I don't think many American tourists venture to Australia's smallest state, which is, geographically, south from Melbourne. Nat Geo says it is a year-round destination due to its maritime climate.

5) Namibia

Etosha National Park and Mundulea Nature Reserve are two highly recommended sanctuaries for viewing the nation's diverse ecosystems. I'd love, love, love to go to Africa.

6) Laos

It seems like Southeast Asia is perennially popular. Just a few years ago, the New York Times chose Luang Prabang as the top must-see destination.

7) Tunisia

Hmmm...I'm not sure that 2011 is the best time to visit this North African nation after all. When a country makes it on to the State Department's list (i.e. a list of places not to go), it should probably be removed- at least temporarily- from your list. Sorry, Tunisia. We'll have to catch you in 2012.

8) Papua New Guinea

There's no doubt that this remote nation enchants and fascinates travelers. It's way off the beaten path and hard to reach in a myriad of ways. Nat Geo does not recommend going solo, however.

9) Kurdistan, Iraq

I wonder if the NYT and Nat Geo were in cahoots on this one. I am sure that this is a culturally rich nation worthy of study and appreciation, but now might not be the best time to go. Whenever I mention going to a place like this (i.e. Siberia, Burma, Columbia) to my father, he always reminds me that there are millions of places to consider going right now before putting yourself in potential danger. In other words, wait until the turmoil has dissipated; then visit.

10) Black Sea Coast, Crimea

This one-time "Russian Riveria" is "still a mystery" to most North American travelers, according to National Geographic Traveler. I'm intrigued by the "cultural crossroads blending ancient Greek and Roman, Byzantine, Russian, Tatar, and modern Crimean history and architecture."

To view the other selections, check out the full feature here.

(** The above photo is of the harbor in Pula, Croatia.**)