Fun Fearless Fashion

L.A. Stories

2007-01-05T17:05:00.000-05:00

Hello!

I just got back from shooting a cover in Los Angeles...

L.A. is refreshing because it is sunny and cheerful, which is the polar opposite of New York. Directly after landing, I headed to my favorite hotel, Chateau Marmont. It’s a quiet oasis off Sunset Boulevard and feels like 1930’s Hollywood by way of 19th century France. So I nestled into a banquet on the patio for lunch and in walked Orlando Bloom looking very scruffy, with an even scruffier dog. He took the table next to mine, and proceeded to tell me how he rescued the dog while filming a movie in Morocco. As he’s speaking, the dog is sitting on my lap and looming over my chopped salad a little too closely. (Tip to Orlando: Fire the dog trainer and control your pup!)

My next stop was Barney’s, which is like a mini of the New York store. It has only two floors of women’s clothes but their buyers have the best taste and the store is full of great temptations. Up on the clothing floor, I ran into Gwen Stefani and her beautiful family. What a comeback she has made after having her baby! Her body has never looked better...

I know from shooting her for Cosmo that Gwen has to work very hard for that body. She is not naturally thin and needs to work out everyday. I am a big fan of her personal style. When she first came on the scene, her style seemed questionable with all those striped belly-baring tops and baggy pants. But she has stayed true to herself, which is more than I can say about most pop stars. She and her whole entourage were wearing her L.A.M.B. clothing line. Even her baby had a L.A.M.B. print on his Bugaboo stroller. She also didn’t ask for any preferential treatment and headed to the dressing room with the rest of us – a very cool girl.

Until next time,

Photo credits: Chateau Marmont: chateaumarmont.com; Gwen Stefani: myspace.com/gwenstefani

Is It Better To Give Than To Receive?

2006-11-29T10:45:00.000-05:00

I know the holidays are a time for giving, but I can’t help thinking of things I really want. When your family and friends ask you what is on your wish list, be prepared. I’ve compiled my own list of great finds and dream pieces that have come across my desk this season. Feel free to borrow from it and happy unwrapping!!

• A dress designed by Roland Mouret from the Gap. They are hitting stores next week.

• John Galliano ivory strapless dress

• The “downtown” bag from Yves Saint Laurent. This is destined to be the new “It” bag but cooler because it has no labels or identifying hardware

• Anything from Behnaz Sarafpour’s line at Target. It really is adorable and super cheap.

• Volupsa candles. They come in amazing packaging of gold and jewel tones.

• Anything with diamonds!!

Holiday Style

2006-11-22T13:45:00.000-05:00

I’m happy to say that after traveling to places with dodgy computer hook-ups, I am back to my blog and will update you weekly on the fresh fashion happenings.

Last week, I went to a slew of fashion parties. Valentino was toasting his new fragrance, Rock n’ Rose, taking over the top floor of 7 World Trade Center. Bergdorf Goodman hosted a decadent Italian dinner for Marni designer, Consuela Castiglioni, and Hugo Boss awarded their art prize at the Guggenheim museum. These parties are a little work and a little fun. I usually walk away with some great cocktail party ideas, but last week it was the clothes that made a lasting impression.

Leave it to the fashion flock to be first responders when it comes to trying new holiday trends. I’m not talking about those bold face names that everyone is sick of hearing about. Of course those girls look great when they can borrow designer clothes and hire personal stylists. The crowd at the Hugo Boss party was especially inspiring because there were a lot of artsy do-it-yourself types.

Here are some tips I picked up while partying the night away. They are sure to make you stand out at your next holiday soiree.

• I know black is all over the stores this fall but sacrifice the safe choice and wear color. Some great hues are royal blue, yellow (with black accents) and Kelly green.

• Headbands are the new earrings; buy one with rhinestones or feathers.

• Open-toe sandals with bare legs look wrong this season. If you have to wear open toe throw on a pair of black fishnets to add some sexy coverage. My favorite ones are by DKNY.

Cheers!
-Michelle

Ctrl+Alt+Delete? Or not.

2006-10-02T15:56:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone,

Michelle is having a little technical difficulty overseas. Once she gets reconnected, she'll write again soon and update us on her latest fashion adventures.

XOXO,
Cosmo

La Dolce Vita

2006-09-29T10:24:00.000-04:00

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

Individual Style

2006-09-26T23:30:00.000-04:00

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

Milan Magic

2006-09-25T22:34:00.000-04:00

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.

Christopher Bailey. Photo credit: Getty Images

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

Introducing Michelle

2006-09-22T10:47:00.000-04:00

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