9.29.2006

La Dolce Vita
All work and no play makes one a very dull girl. There is more to this fashion circus than going to shows, taking notes, and brainstorming for story ideas. The Milanese open their city and we clog their streets, fill their restaurants, and busy their boutique clerks.

With temperatures reaching 80 degrees, I’ve been wearing only the lightest dresses and skirts. All of my oversized sweaters, leggings, and boots have not seen the light of day.

Tonight, the Cosmo team (Karen, Danielle, Emily, and myself) dined al fresco under a canopy of green vines with salmon pink table clothes. Our evening started with Bellinis (peach juice and Prosecco wine) in the garden of the Bulgari Hotel, a sprawling lawn that feels like a private villa in the middle of Milan. Dinner was pasta with fresh white truffles followed by panna cota garnished with sweet strawberries. September is the only time you can get white truffles in Italy. After dinner our driver, Giuseppe, whisked us across town to the Gucci 85th anniversary party.

Gucci’s bash was the party of the Milan season. Along with champagne and dessert, we were treated to a private concert by John Legend. He took to his piano so elegantly in a burgundy velvet Gucci blazer. I got the chance to wish him luck earlier in the evening. He is handsome, polite and unassuming. It is refreshing to see a musician without an entourage of handlers and oversized bodyguards. His music is still playing in my ears as I rest up for another day of surprises. Prince is scheduled to play the Versace show tomorrow night...

Tune in on Monday for the details!

-Michelle

posted by Fun Fearless Fashion at 10:24 AM

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9.26.2006

Individual Style
Spring 2007 is shaping up to be the season of the individual. Today’s shows channeled the free-thinker in all of us. Marni started the day with a sporty mix of anoraks, elastic belts, short leggings and killer patent accessories. Patent accessories are all over the runways and something you could buy in the stores now and wear throughout next spring and summer. Black is the best choice because it looks fresh against all colors, even white. Another trend with staying power is the legging. The ones for spring are shorter and in lighter colors like grey or white. They are hitting just below the knee and look great with wider dresses and coats.

Tomas Maier showed a stellar collection for Bottega Veneta. My favorites were the dresses in pretty pink pastels made of a simple cotton fabric with not so simple ruching. He had jersey dresses that draped on the body and hugged every curve. This collection was for the girly-girl, someone who likes to wear her clothes...rather than have the clothes wear her.

The highly anticipated Prada show closed out the evening with a completely new look. Miuccia Prada is a fashion pioneer and whatever she does on the runway will be made into a knock-off, pronto. The look was very 1940’s bathing beauty, complete with fuchsia satin turbans and multicolored platform sandals. God is in the details.

All photos: Style.com

Whether you want to be sporty, girly, or a fashion pioneer, individual style is what will set you apart. Dress for yourself and you’ll turn heads without even trying!

Until next time,
Arrevederci!
-Michelle

posted by Fun Fearless Fashion at 11:30 PM

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9.25.2006

Milan Magic
Greetings from the fashion front lines!

Today was the first day of Milan fashion week. Milan is one of Italy’s less picturesque cities. Sure it has a cathedral, Il Duomo, and a famous opera house, La Scala, but other than those treasured buildings, the city looks dull and unimaginative. The reason people come here is for business...particularly, the fashion business. Every major Italian design house has its headquarters here.

It is on this rainy and dreary Monday that my editor, Karen and I hopped around the city, taking in shows by Giorgio Armani, D&G and Burberry. The Burberry show was the highlight of the day with flirty Mia Farrow type mini dresses in white and cream. The designer, Christopher Bailey, updated the classic trench by making it a swing coat in beige canvas with feminine bell sleeves. The look is very innocent...but we Cosmo girls will manage to give it a sexy edge.


Speaking of sexy, whom did I spot at the hotel gym? Baby-faced Leonardo DiCaprio, soaking in the sights, sitting at a table on the balcony waiting for an unknown blonde to arrive. But she didn’t seem skinny enough to be a model. Could he be with a mere pedestrian?

Sorry, Giselle-model-girlfriends are so last season!

Giorgio Armani with Leonardo DiCaprio.
Photo credit: Getty Images

Until next time,
Arrevederci!
-Michelle

posted by Fun Fearless Fashion at 10:34 PM

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9.22.2006

Introducing Michelle
Hi, my name is Michelle McCool and I am Cosmo’s Fashion Director. This fancy title means that I get to see designers’ collections before anyone else. That way I can weed out the duds and bring you only the best fashion choices to be featured in Cosmo.

Each fall and spring, I scour the runways of Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors, Christian Dior and many more to find the fun, sexy outfits you all love to wear. I also see the latest styles from favorites like H&M, Express, and Target. After the shows, I, along with my staff of super stylish chicks, pick out my favorite trends and develop a “story” or fashion shoot for the magazine. This brings me to exotic destinations like Africa, Argentina and Brazil. We pack up about 12 trunks of clothes, models, and a photographer before we hit the road. The process of putting together a fashion shoot takes a lot of time and planning...but the first important ingredient is inspiration.

This Sunday I am off to the ready-to-wear collections in Milan and Paris. And guess what? I am taking you along for the ride. You’ll get my up to the minute report on the hottest items to look for in stores now and this spring. I’ll give you the inside scoop on designer and celebrity parties, and who’s wearing what where. Plus, I’ll take you to my favorite shops and restaurants to give you a glimpse of a fashion editor’s life abroad.

Come with me on this unpredictable journey!

Until next time,
Arrevederci!
-Michelle

posted by Fun Fearless Fashion at 10:47 AM

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