Coquette

I Heart Betty Draper

One of my favorite TV shows is Mad Men on AMC for their innovative storylines but mostly for the design of the whole 60's show from set decor to of course, the costumes. My friend Dolin in her recent post on her blog, Lulu Bliss points to an interview with the costume designer Janie Bryant on the Glamour blog. On the AMC site, the show has a Fashion File blog where Janie gives you a video or slideshow scoop on the thoughts for each episode and outfit.

My favorites are the costumes of housewife/ex-model Betty Draper from this stunning turquoise gown to her riding gear and poofy dresses. I love how her character is defined even more through her clothes.

Second runner up is executive secretary Joan. I want that pen necklace she always wears and her pencil skirts always show off her perfect curves.

Michelle Obama wears Jason Wu for the Inaugural Ball

Whether you love Michelle Obama's Inaugural white chiffon one-shoulder ball gown or not, there's no denying the talent of the 26 year old fashion designer, Jason Wu, who designed the gown especially for her. I personally love the dress and this photo above shows how sophisticated and elegant she looked. [ via Huffington Post ]

Watch this video of Jason Wu along with Isabel Toledo from this morning's Today Show:

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I feel proud that our First Lady is showcasing the American designers who are immigrants -- Wu is from Taiwan and Isabel Toledo hails from Cuba. It's just what America is all about! Pictured above is Wu at his Spring 2009 Runway Show. [ via Style.com ]

These are my favorites from Jason Wu's Spring 2009 collection. His use of layers and interesting construction of pleats (in the gray dress above) create a soft feminine look. Check out his web site for all the photos as well as videos of this collection and more. I'm looking forward to seeing what he comes up with for Fall in a few weeks!

Michelle Obama wears Isabel Toledo on Inauguration Day

Michelle Obama furthur sealed her place in showcasing American fashion with today's Inauguration Day outfit -- a yellow gold brocade dress and matching coat by Cuban-American fashion designer Isabel Toledo. [ via AP ] Isabel was the Creative Director of Anne Klein for a short period of time and her husband, Ruben Toledo is one of the most famous fashion illustrators, who most recently illustrated Nina Garcia's books. What I adore is Michelle's promotion of a fashion designer who's avant-garde and not part of all the hype. Isabel Toledo is a fashion designer who truely understands garment construction and it's said that she considers herself more of a seamstress, not a "fashion designer".

Here's Isabel Toledo at Anne Klein's Spring 2008 fashion show. [ via Style.com ]

Read more about Isabel Toledo in her interview online with Marpop as well as coverage from fellow fashion blogger and friend Nichelle over at 55 Secret Street who attended an event at the designer's penthouse apartment.

I'm looking forward to more fashion inspiration from both Isabel Toledo and Michelle Obama.

What Should Michelle Obama Wear?

I'm so excited about the new Obama Presidency and the fact that our soon to be First Lady, Michelle Obama is such a fashionable AND smart woman. Women's Wear Daily asked some of the top fashion designers from Marc Jacobs to Karl Lagerfeld to illustrate their vision for Michelle Obama and what she should wear for January's inauguration festivities. Fashion illustrations are so inspirational to me and I love looking at each designer's particular sketching or coloring style. Some of my favorites are above (clockwise): Isaac Mizrahi, Peter Som, Christian Lacroix, and Marc Jacobs. See all 34 illustrations in WWD's Michelle Obama: What Should She Wear? Slideshow and read more in the WWD article.

Coquette on Indie Fixx

Thank you to Jen at Indie Fixx for asking me to be a part of her "I'm Inspired By..." series. My indie fashion inspiration is now up, including a preview of my new fashion spread in CRAFT Magazine (pictured above), covering the latest DIY and indie fashion. This fashion spread, with a theme of dresses, debuted in the current issue of CRAFT, vol 8. I'm happy to say this will be an ongoing fashion series for the magazine. Stay tuned for more!

Sisters of the Traveling Necklaces

Photo: PR Photos / Janet Mayer

Lately, I've become obsessed with necklaces. In a recent appearance on Good Morning America promoting their new movie Sisters of the Traveling Pants 2, America Ferrera and Blake Lively show off the two options that have been popular -- simple and delicate for America and a lots of layered tiers for Blake. Each one looks fantastic!

Origami Fashion

I love Cindy Ng's Origami Blog lately for her origami inspired fashion posts. (BTW, check out Cindy's beautiful origami jewelry which I've posted about previously on Coquette.) Lately she's been finding some great inspiring fashions including Chloe's Leather Alligator Fold Clutch that's been seen on such celebs as Gossip Girl's Leighton Meester.

These origami shoe designs by Dutch designer Marloes ten Bhömer are simply breathtaking. See her work at the Virtual Shoe Museum.

Now that you've gotten the inspiration, here are more origami fashions you can pick up for yourself:

Rick Owens Lilies Origami wool coat ($780 at Net-A-Porter)

Bensoni Black Stretch Knit Origami Detailed Top ($148.80 at Bluefly)

Sleeveless Origami Knit Dress ($150 at Banana Republic)

Cynthia Steffe Cream Cotton Pointelle Origami Inset Dress ($189.60 at Bluefly)

Eileen Shields Hannah Origami Flat Slide (On Sale $147.50 at Shopbop)

Fifi Lapin - A Very Stylish Bunny

I came across the blog, Fifi Lapin (via Cookie) and have fallen in love with the fashionable bunny drawings of a London based artist. She's such a fashionable French bunny and what else would she wear but the latest fashions that have strolled down the runway? I'm loving her in the Carolina Herrera coat above.

You can also take Fifi home with you with the fashion prints that are sold in her Etsy store like this one above with Fifi modeling the Proenza Schouler Collection ($30).

Check out Fifi Lapin's Flickr Photos
Add Fifi as a friend on Facebook

Jean Paul Gaultier's Couture Cut Outs

Jean Paul Gaultier's Fall 2008 couture collection featured a trend of ornate cut-outs that remind me of the artistry of intricate paper cutting. I love how Gaultier translates this oh so effortlessly into both fabric and knits. Sharpen up those scissors ladies! Take it from Gaultier, you could give your existing wardrobe a lift with just a few simple cut-outs.

Clothes of the Future

I love this little film reel clip from the 30's that forecasts clothes for the future in 2000! Thanks Christina!