CLAUDE MONTANA - Military Motorcycle Jacket with Silver Buckle

Sometimes don't you just lust for an opportunity to mix the bold print of Pucci with the hard edge of the 1980s. Pushing boundaries is the ultimate test for the fashion forward, if it works you have just successfully created a new look, if not you had fun trying so its all good...right! We love this vintage hybrid of a military motorcycle inspired jacket from Claude Montana designed in the 1980s, but pairing it with a pencil skirt or tight legged trousers is so been there done that. So,we couldn't resist putting it with some new Pucci silk knit pants in muted tones of gray, beige and gold and instantly discovered a hot transitional modern vintage look for early fall. Grab a gold ostrich berkin and a pair of great aviators, then slid into a pale gray suede wedge and you are on your way to a great new fashionable Fall. Don't forget to add sparkly bling to any military inspired look, we love the mix. It is just wrong enough to be oh so right. Marching for jewelry really should be a mantra!

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ITALIAN VOGUE - Oil Spill Style - Fab or Fug

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, an old adage we have all heard numerous times before. Like most sayings there are truths to be found and knowledge to be experienced. Anytime an artist steps away from the accepted, they open themselves to controversy, yet without departure from the expected they never experience growth. In the August issue, Franca Sozzani the editor of Italian Vogue, gives us her feeling about the tragedy of the gulf oil spill, choosing fashion as her medium of expression. Working with the photographer Stephen Meisel and model Kristin McMenamy, together they give us a beautifully disturbing set of images that remind us of the delicate balance of nature. One of the main goals of an artist is to elicit reaction through their work, that reaction either positive or negative is not the most important point, the most important being the viewer walks away having had a visceral reaction that will have forever changed their perceptions. Like them or not once you have experienced the images, you will remember them and when was the last time American Vogue could make that claim of accomplishment. Certainly not by repeating the same type of fashion spreads twelve times a year. Hope your paying attention Anna! Well done Italian Vogue, for making us think in a more aware manner about fashion.

What are your thoughts?

ANNE KLEIN - American Southwest Inspired Belt

Don't you just sometimes want to channel your inner cowgirl. Grab some distressed boyfriend denim and a crisp starched over sized chambray shirt belted with an interesting leather statement belt. Then topped off with some modern geometric turquoise jewelry with only a hint of the southwest and a vintage pair of colorful worn in python boots. What's a girl to do? We love this vintage Anne Klein belt from the 1970s for its distressed southwestern look and feel. So belt it over your western interpretations of style and lasso the bull of your choice.

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TODD OLDHAM - Leopard Print Velvet Boots

We all know that boots are made for walking, but they can also be great at communication as well. These say, let's be playful and have some fun. That isn't surprising when you know they were designed in the 1990s by Todd Oldham, a master at creating whimsically colorful designs that shout with joy. Wear them with jeans and a classic boucle jacket or a supple lace top over satin shorts, these boots are made for any fashion situation. Walk softly and remember to carry a big bag.

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BYBLOS - Apple Green Crop Top & Pants

Mixing Vintage & Modern Style

You have enough time for one more get away before the official change of season. Come on, admit it you know you want to go. We offer the perfect vintage look for strolling along the waterfront on any wonderful island. Nothing like apple green linen for showing off that late summer tan. This Byblos crop tied top and matching pants from the 1970s will show off those great abs and narrow waist, due to the dip in the low rise of the waist band and the high tie of the crop top. We like a duo that performs in perfect harmony, don't you? Keep the make up a sheer skin tone and the lips matte. Accessories should have a hand crafted look and feel and sandals with just a hint of animal print to bring out the huntress in you. Have a great time, but toy gently with your prey, no reason to leave marks.

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GUY LAROCHE - Large Bold Batik Print Wool Challis Shawl

Don't you just love a large soft and supple bold printed shawl. They will always give any look a major punch of color and interest. Here we have a bold batik printed wool challis shawl by Guy Laroche woven in the 1980s but equally as fresh and modern today. We like it worn in all the traditional ways but also like it tied pareo style over satin trousers for a very sensual evening look that isn't expected. Capturing flair and making it your own, one look at a time.

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BILL BLASS - Red & White Pin Dot Halter & Palazzo Pants

Mixing Vintage & Modern Style

Why is it that we are drawn to a great halter top. Perhaps because it makes us think of great times during the summer when the living is easy. Nothing beats a wonderful vintage halter top paired with a structured palazzo pant. This Bill Blass look from the early 1970s is a great choice for a late summer party, it is casual but with a hint of sexy dressy which is a great, yet hard to find combination. We like it mixed with graphic modern accessories that pop and very pale lips and makeup. Taking vintage and making it modern has always been our goal.

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ROMEO GIGLI - Bohemian Lether Wrap Belt

We know you love accessories, especially those that capture the attention at first sight because of their unique qualities. Take this vintage Romeo Gilgi belt from the 1980s. It consist of lengths of raw leather knotted and wrapped with darker waxed leather and embellished with hand carved bone talismans. In other past cultures charms and amulets were worn on belts to bring luck and good fortune ans well as to ward off evil spirits. When you think about it, today isn't much different with the crystals and charms with in which we adorn ourselves. We love this as a belt but to make it iconic and modern coil it around the neck for a distinctly different style. It is sure to bring you good fortune.

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RIFAT OZBEK - Gold Lame Tube Dress or Skirt

If you have it, you should at least some of the time flaunt it. What better way to flaunt then with a sensual vintage gold lame tube dress from Rifat Ozbek. You will say the British have arrived and conquered, when wearing Ozbek, it's just that powerful. It can be a dress or a skirt depending on your mood, so pair it with a crisp white shirt and bold geometric jewelry when a skirt or a sheer bronze organza coat and spike heels when wearing it as a dress. The best accessory would be a fragrance with just a note of mystery because it pays to keep them guessing.

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HELMUT NEWTON - Vintage Fashion Photo

Once upon a time man was the dominate force in choosing a mate. As most women know that was a long while back. Today it's not unusual for a woman to call the shots, but in the middle of the 1970s as shown by this Helmut Newton photograph, women were just coming into their own. In all aspects of her life she was becoming the emancipated woman and making her own decisions. Common today but radical for its time, and nothing better exemplifies all that entails better then this photo. She is woman hear her roar, will she choose him? Perhaps not, but either way she is comfortable in her skin and it shows. It will be her choice and we call that being a modern woman.

Helmut Newton - Photographer
Lisa Taylor - Model
Vogue Magazine - Spring 1975