purple-Louis Vuitton, blue-Oliver Peoples, turq-Louis Vuitton

a.    Patrick Swayze
b.    Aretha Franklin
c.    Jackie Kennedy
d.    Ru Paul

Hats, hats, hats. They sit atop your head at whatever jaunty angle you prefer, and they make you look oh so fabulous. The answer by the way, is Patrick Swayze as Vita Boheme in Too Wong Fu, Thanks For Everything. However I’m pretty sure all the ladies on the list would agree and certainly Ms. Franklin herself when I say inauguration day was Aretha Franklin’s sing something hat day. Hell, there is even a “fans of Aretha Franklin’s inaugural hat” group on facebook. for serious. That starched, dove-gray wool chapeau, bejeweled and studded modern architectural marvel, with the oblique and oversized bow made me proud to be an American. Thank you Luke Song for designing the beaut and thank you voters of America for giving Ms Franklin a reason to bring her glory and fashion sense into full blossom on a rather frigid January day. It is still winter out there, and hats aren’t just a way to get noticed but also a little cap on your body heat. Yes yes, I have heard that it’s a wives tale that you lose more heat out of your head than anywhere else, but a bit more material on your heavenly body can’t hurt. Hats with feathers, hats with bows, bowlers, little hats worn to the side, Knit caps with small wide bills, hell even a fedora—maybe—but if you pull it way down over one eye—I will be forced to take your hat off your head and puke in it. That look is overdone, and fashion is supposed to be fresh and fun. You don’t have to throw it out, just find a different angle, because that one is no longer seductive and mysterious, just irritating. Whew, but that’s enough negativity when people are out there doing hats sooo right! Throw one on! No really I mean, throw one—they aren’t just good to wear they are great to use as a prop, Tip your hat at people, take it off and gesture with it, learn to toss it onto your foot then kick it back onto your head! Put feathers in your hat, glue fake diamonds on one, or a stuffed bird—maybe your late aunt’s fake fruit—have fun! You may be scrimping on buying clothes this season, but a new hat or a new-to-you hat could be just the thing to spruce up your wardrobe.  Or—buy a hat from a true artist—O’Lover Hats has hand made hats by Elwyn Crawford, they are gorgeous and will make you say—“I think it’s a say something hat day!” and everyone will clap and then you’ll have a facebook group for your hat—fate will suddenly be in your hands, and the rest my darlings, will be history.

John Varvatos looks to rock and roll’s fashion heritage to shape his fall 2009 collection, reworking it into a dressed-up line that’s polished with a glamorous edge. Varvatos is based in NYC, but this year he chose to present his new collection in Milan. The John Varvatos Fall/Winter 2009 runway show took place Tuesday, January 20^th 2009 at Chiesa sconsacrata di San Paolo Converso, Milan, Italy. The vent too on the is the oppositEvery element of the collection: silhouette, detailing and proportion, is given a contemporary gloss. The palette is dark, moody and elegant. Black reigns, with charcoal, burgundy and rich chocolate accented by tones of grey and inserts of white.

Distinguished by its hourglass shape, John Varvatos has softly evolved his silhouette into a more modern, sleeker profile. A slender but well-defined shoulder skims down to a nipped in waist and a lean trouser leg that finishes with a slight flare just below the ankle.

Tailored looks come in evening structures, characterized by shawl collars, rich tweed and plaid fabrics and a cummerbund-turned-sash that sits swathed on the hips. Tonal layered suits: a double-breasted flannel dove gray jacket is constructed with a contrasting darker smoke-hued flannel lapel and paired with a silvery shirt and tie. Another narrow-cut, one-button gray suit is outlined with black-tipped notch lapels and welt pockets. Vests, in crinkled wools and smooth cashmeres topped with felted closures, reveal inside buttons and linings printed with a fluer-de-lys pattern. A velvety chevron design is flocked over a tweed evening jacket. White trim, button-down, spread collars top striped, patterned and check shirts. Gauzy cotton voile scarves with a floating paisley print are tied around the looks. Hats are pliable, modified felted bowlers.

Long outerwear descends to a subtle A-line and emphasizes

the sleeker silhouette. Coats are double-breasted, high-collared and trimmed with antiqued metal buttons. Built in dramatic shapes: a wool coat’s base unzips to curled-like tails, another take on the trench is given an inverted triangle silhouette with prominent shoulders and lithe belted hips. Modern fabrics polish up casual styles, like the polyutherene coated cotton/linen parka that shimmers with a soft, cracked finish in antiqued silver, and a cotton-touch nylon jacket, padded and emphasized with a exaggerated collar and loop buttons.

Leather’s long-standing fashion role in rock and roll is reinterpreted with a new sleek, elegance. A printed plaid collarless leather jacket is washed so soft it has the hand feel of a cashmere fabric. A suede trench and motorcycle jacket are washed to become lighter and more refined. Chocolate shearling is cut into a hooded parka with a lustrous pony skin finished exterior.

Elongated hand-finished cashmere knits trail out from shorter jackets, marking the juxtaposing proportions. Full-length dark cashmere sweaters are trimmed with horn buttons and crochet edges. Fine rib knits and printed stripe cashmere Henleys are embellished with small metal buttons.

Headlining accessories is the debut of John Varvatos’ new jewelry collection. Cufflinks, rings and bracelets are handcrafted from sterling silver, black onyx and brandish diamonds. Necklaces feature weighty, eye-catching trinkets, like the famed Venetian doctor mask. Heraldic style medallions, some sprouting a plume of feathers, adorn jacket lapels and ties. A refined, updated silver safety pin closes knits and vests. Double-twisted intricate chains link around boots, while chain belts link up with a fleur-de-lys design, a recurring ornamentation throughout the collection.
Gators — washed leather buttoned ankle covers positioned over the shoe — accentuate the silhouette’s subtle flared and shortened leg. Dressy shoes include buckled demi boots, washed canvas and leather styles with studded details and an oiled suede boot with a tucked detail on the top. Bags have masculine shapes. Canvas and leather totes and a modern briefcase are framed with buckles and straps. Another punchy model is tooled from gleaming silver crocodile-embossed leather.

The ‘Ask Grandma’ section is a place for the older generation to share their knowledge of how things… USED TO BE… and a place for the wise to give advice to the many of us who do not have someone we can call on at a moments notice but still seek traditional guidance in personal wardrobe endeavors. Questions like, “can I wear black to a wedding?”  “Is it inappropriate to not wear stockings to church?”  And “if I’m going to a black-tie event, is it okay to wear pants?” These types of inquiries run through the minds of young fashionistas/fashionistos everywhere and sometimes we have no clue where to turn when seeking true-seasoned fashion guidance. With the new ‘Ask Grandma’ section, you now know there is a place where you can go to get all of your fashion questions answered… because really….wisdom is one question away, and all you have to do is just… ‘Ask Grandma.’

More of 2009’s Trends to come…

John Galliano, above all, understands the capacity of the body as a tableau. We can learn a lot from him by looking at the details of garments in his ellaborate and exquisite collections. The key in creating a total look has always and will forever lie in the accessories of a complete look. Piecing together garments is key for a look- yes this is true but the finishing touches lie in how well you can piece together, mix and match, and just simply toss metals, plastics, stones and gems to compliment your look. Have fun with it. It can’t hurt to try.

Here are five of my favorite trends that have spread like wildfire in the streets of Manhattan:

1. Colored Tights

As far as colored tights go, it seems that any and every color is game. It’s a great way to add an edge to your look without breaking the bank.

Darker colors–plum, navy, gray, dark green–tend to translate well with the season, but red and cobalt blue work just as well if you’re daring enough. I’ve yet to see anyone pull off yellow very well, but I don’t doubt that it could be done.

This is a trend that’s also frequently spotted in Gossip Girls. And I must say, the colored tights is a much better GG trend than headbands. Agreed?

2. Ankles boots, booties

3. Liquid leggings

4. Vintage leather bags

5. Short leather jackets