A Fingerprint of Love

Remember when Angelina and Billy Bob wore vials of each other’s blood around their necks? Camille Cesari’s LovePrint jewelry line adapted this concept by removing the creepiness, keeping the personalization, and adding a new dimension of beauty.

LovePrint takes a wax impression of a fingerprint and molds it into an 18 karat gold or sterling silver pendant. The impression is then made into a ring, necklace, bracelet, key ring, cufflink, or money clip and adorned with semi-precious stones. The unique nature of this piece of jewelry makes it a perfect holiday gift for lovers, new mothers, or best buddies.

I’m pretty sure that if I had my significant other’s fingerprints hanging from my neck I’d feel a bit safer, more protected, and well equipped to provide the authorities any evidence needed.

Headlines This Week 11/27

• British designer Matthew Williamson will be next to design a capsule collection for H&M. Designs are slated to arrive in stores Spring 2009. He will join the ranks of Comme des Garcons, Stella McCartney and Viktor & Rolf. An extensive summer collection will follow within weeks after the spring arrivals, which will contain Williamson’s first venture into menswear.
• ShuAddikt is a new shoe boutique that opened up earlier this year in Dallas but this boutique is reinventing the online shopping arena by offering complimentary personal shoppers. Business professionals, busy mothers and fashionistas alike are taking advantage of ShuAddikt’s elite services. Their free service will undoubtedly make an addict out of me!
  
• DNR RIP, mens fashion trade paper dead at 116, DNR, known as “the bible of the menswear industry” died this week. It is suspected that both a faltering economy and management blunders have led to its demise. This is especially sad because it was actually this publication that launched the Fairchild publishing empire. LAT
• Style icon, Sarah Jessica Parker, is now searching for a home for her clothing line Bitten after parent company Steve and Barry has filed bankruptcy for the second time this year. She stated to NY Magazine “We have to make sure that any partner we enter into an agreement with wants the same thing for the brand as we do, which is to serve the customer first.” NYM
• Skin Deep: Out With Fancy Spas, In With Budget Salons $300 dollar massages seem a little excessive to those who can still afford it. Instead they are trading down for more economic venues as seen in this NY Magazine article.

Photo Courtesy of Matthew Williamson Spring Summer ‘09 Collection

Closet Remix: The Art of Dressing for a Recession

We’re all feeling the pinch. The recession pinch. People are using extreme measures to battle the economic meltdown likesubstituting listerine for vodka and using bacon grease in lieu of hair gel. Well we aren’t suggesting trading in your LBD for a LBTB (Large Black Trash Bag); we are suggesting a moment of reflection on the concept of consumption. Instead of hitting the stores to re-work your wardrobe, take a moment to simplify, accessorize, and use what your mama (and your wardrobe) already gave you.

Chisel Down to Your Own, Personal Style

Some of the most treasured fashion icons exercise a lesson in minimalism. They choose a classic look, make it their own, and repeat it everyday. One of the most famous of these icons that chose a look of uncompromising self-expression is journalist and fashion designer, Diane Pernet. Her puritanical look—inspired by young widows in Italian cinema—has not changed in twenty years.

Take a recession-breath and reflect your own personal style. You don’t need to dress like an Italian widow for the next twenty years but a clearly defined and individualized personal aesthetic goes a lot further than the latest $750 Juicy Couture bag. Dress your authentic self, and play up what everyone loves about you—I guarantee it’s not just your Alice and Olivia trousers.

Channel your inner Audrey à la Breakfast at Tiffany’s

Choose classic cuts, colors, styles, and pieces. Accessorize wisely and plainly with bold, classic pieces. If you choose to invest in your wardrobe think quality over quantity and classic over trendy.

Use Your Shoes

There is nothing more stylish, yet Zen than jeans paired with a plain blouse or tee and fan-effing-tastic shoes. Pair your boldest shoes with your simple pieces to literally kick it up a notch (or two or even three).

Recycle, Reduce, Reuse

Remember the Conscious Fashionistas? Shop thrift for unique (and wallet friendly) pieces. Raid your friend’s closets, let them raid yours. Host or attend a clothing swap, which is a great way to acquire new frocks for free!

Granny, Mama, and Big Sister Too

Some of my favorite pieces are stolen from the fashionistas of years gone by—a fabulous art-deco scarf from my Granny, a beaded wooden necklace from my Mommy, and an ugly-bag-made-adorable-clutch from who knows who. Raid your family member’s closets, especially the elder ones. I guarantee you that they have pieces that even Sienna Miller would rock.

Sensationalize—Accessorize

We all have boxes of junk jewelry and drawers of old scarves. I know there are bracelets lingering in the dark corners of my jewelry box that haven’t seen sunlight since 1997. Use accessories to revitalize all of the options in your wardrobe. The same pieces can be styled in countless different ways with wisely chosen accessories.

‘Tis the season to give thanks, reflect, and eat. ‘Tis also the season to skip flaunting wealth and consider flaunting thriftiness. Clearly we love fashion, but we love our economic health more than keeping up with the Joneses.

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