Olga Kapustina

OK, so Fashion Week passed me by, but some designers have reached out to me - there is hope yet! For example: "Olga Kapustina made her runway debut on Friday, September 7th with a gorgeous Spring 2008 collection."

Olga Kapustina's signature dresses "have become de riguer for smart, single women on the prowl." I would say that the above pictured dress is a strong indication of such, especially the 'prowl' part.

Her wears are available at Barney’s and TG-170 in Manhattan and a few boutiques in Brooklyn.

Apparently, "the Chelsea-based gamine has a loyal following in the film industry, with Angelina Jolie, Sophia Bush, Cameron Diaz, Rachel Bilson, and Reese Witherspoon all wearing Olga on the red carpet, on the dance floor, and in the streets." The streets? What are those ladies doing on the streets? Oh yes, they are also on the 'prowl."

Confessions of a Shopaholic

I just got this email from a friend in the film industry. If you are interested in having your apartment in this exciting new film, contact her!

Dear Fashionable Friends,

I am working on yet another movie and need your help.

Walt Disney Pictures is currently in pre-production of a feature film entitled "Confessions of a Shopaholic", based on the New York Times bestselling book of the same name. The film will be produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, will be directed by P.J. Hogan ("My Best Friends Wedding", "Muriel's Wedding") and star Isla Fisher ("Wedding Crashers"). We begin filming in New York City and Connecticut in January, 2008.

"Confessions" focuses on a young woman named Rebecca Bloomwood who works as a journalist for a gardening magazine but has high hopes of working in the world of high fashion. She is also a woman obsessed with shopping and simply cannot pass up a sale (but really, who can?).

Since the story is based around the lives of young, fashionable New Yorkers, I am reaching out to you, fashionable friends, and friends with fashionable friends- as we are currently doing research on where these women actually live. Would you be able to help me in this process by showing me your apartments and/or reaching to your friends to do the same? Basically, we would love to send (myself or) a location scout out to photograph any people and places that may be open to this. *As a side note- we are currently planning to build our "apartment" set on a soundstage, but if we find an apartment that our production designer (Academy Award winning designer, Kristi Zia) likes, we may want to pursue the idea of filming at a practical location.

Please be assured we are working with the full permission and support of the NewYork City Mayor's Office for Film, Theatre and Broadcasting as well as the NewYork State Film Office.

I look forward to hearing from you and feel free to contact me (Laura) at Disney (Production Office) at 646/652-3432.

I call B.S. on some Discount Stores

I recently read an article about how some discount stores that claim to have top designers at low, low prices are in fact selling sub-par apparel to the masses. "Hmmmmmmmm...." I thought to myself. Could this be true? So I did a little investigation at a Filene's Basement and Marshalls and have come to the conclusion that it is true. I tried on Kors by Michael Kors at one, and looked at Tahari suits at the other. The clothes were crap.

The same article mentioned that the only places that you can be sure to find the real deal for less are sample sales or Century 21. Shoot. I guess I believe it, but shopping those is a real nightmare pain in the ass.

I guess the lesson is to be very discerning when considering purchasing "designer" clothing for less - if you think about it, how could all of these discount chain stores that continue to pop up all over the country carry top-of-the-line apparel? It's just not rational. I'm not necessarily saying that these stores are selling false or counterfeit goods, it could be that the designers are licensing out their names to mass manufacturers who are creating select items using less expensive materials and designs.

Since so many of these labels are owned by publicly traded companies, they have to continue to figure out new ways to make more money year after year. So be a smart consumer and don't be "had!"

Leave Being Paris to Paris

For the love of fashion, if you are not Paris Hilton, please try something else, like being yourself, for example.

Anthropologie Catalog

I just got the Anthropologie catalog and while I like the uniqueness of each item, the outfits or perhaps the way the models are wearing them remind me of Ally Sheedy in the Breakfast Club. The basket-case types who are likely sleeping with your boyfriends because they are freaks like that. "Porno librarians." You know what I'm talking about.

Book: Think Like a Guy

I just heard about this book: Think Like a Guy by that crazy-I'm-not-sure-if-in-a-good-way-or-crazy-way-looking E! News Anchor, Guiliana DePandi.

Basically, in a completely non-academic conversational way, much like the tone of this blog, but not as genius, Ms. DePandi tells it to the ladies straight: Times have changed, so don't act like a little girl - even if you feel like it - or you will likely not end up with the guy that you want.

She's actually somewhat entertaining and seems pretty normal. (Trust that this is a compliment, coming from me.)

So basically take the George Costanza approach and do the opposite of what you normally do when trying to get or keep a guy you are crazy about, and you just may see things go your way. If nothing else, it probably can't be worse than what you've already been doing and (not) getting.

Fashion Week Likes (some) Bloggers

You may have read that the powers that be at Fashion Week, which is literally happening right now about one block away from me, decided to invite more fashion bloggers than usual to cover the event. Bloggers such as The Sartorialist, who I have mentioned on these e-pages before.

Did my invitation get lost in the mail? Am I a threat to the fabric of the fashion world (pun intended)? Fine, whatever. Just don't expect me to say "yes" when you beg me to show up next year. I won't even accept the invite. I will "return to sender." I hate fashion. It's stupid. Why would anyone want to go? Nyah.

Ayla: Leather Boots that Even YOU Can Fit Into

To all the women of the world who have calves bigger than your forearm:

I, like you, have pretty substantially sized calves...and always have - from at least when I was a senior in high school and the captain of the wrestling team took notice and exclaimed, "Wow! I wish I had your calves!" Now, this isn't usually taken as a compliment, but hell, that's how I took it. And through the years I have had various men take notice, in a good (maybe too good) way. So why is it that the good bootmakers of Earth only make tall leather boots for skinny minnies? I have only been able to wear short boots or stretchy boots, BUT I WANT TO WEAR TALL BLACK LEATHER BOOTS! And I promised to throw a tantrum until I got my way.

And then along came Ayla Boots - "Leaders in calf fitting boots," I kid you not. And the tantrums ceased.

Eight styles available in whole sizes 7 through 12 can be ordered online. Just input your size, calf measurement (widest part of your calf in inches), and preferred color, and you're on your way to owning a pair of boots that fit! Also, none cost more than $189, so get on the bandwagon now before the owners get wise and start charging more!

The style pictured above, known as "Milano" are the perfect answer to the too-narrow, too tight, too high, too expensive styles of late. I ordered a 9 and an 8 to determine which is better - the jury is still out. I guess I wish they had half-sizes because the 8.5 would likely be my best bet. However, I have to say that either one fits me better than most others I have attempted to try on during the past couple of years.

I think I may even get another pair! Stay tuned...

Eileen Fisher Sample Sale: Sat. Sept. 8

This Saturday, September 8, 2007 from 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., Eileen Fisher is having a Fall Sample Sale at the 314 E. 9th St. boutique. If you're into this kind of stuff, head on down. Not really my cup of tea, personally - in case you were wondering. But sort of like Bruce Springsteen, I respect him but I don't own one album (or song, for that matter).

Jill Anderson: High-waisted jean

I'm not sure that I'm really "down" with this look. I feel like you have to be 6 feet tall and really freaking skinny to make this look "work" - otherwise you will look like a great big flag or something - way too much material going on here for short people, and not a great look for those with prominent "tummies."