pour monsieur, pour madame

Now that his New York tour is done, Alber Elbaz is back to Paris and back to work. The first order of business? Designing the holiday windows for Paris department store Printemps, which he has titled "Noel Au Chateau." Sporting Elbaz's signature cartoonish eyes and grins, dolls dubbed "Mr. and Miss Lanvin" will sit in various holiday tableaux. Question: are these adorable dolls available à vendre? Gifts all around!

Bonne weekend! x

house of hermes shows a chicer way to skate

You would never skateboard in your Hermès, would you? What about on your Hermès? Or over it? Confused yet? Don't worry, loves, just watch this fabulously creative and mesmermizing (!!!!) little video, and all will be revealed.

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Ophidiophobia, or fear of snakes, is an affliction that affects many but luckily, it doesn't apply to the slithering creatures of the crystal variety. This particularly alluring reptile, made from sterling silver and hand-set semi-precious stones, is anything but scary, non?

struck by a million lightning bolts

This was kinda my take on Halloween. I love this lightning bolt print and I must admit, went a little crazy on the outfit. But I love it. The shoes has been and still is one of my Fall crushes.

(Shirt, trousers, snood from Whistles, boots from Cos)

so yummy i could eat this snake!

The satchel, the messenger, the clutch - you probably are well-stocked in the classic bag shapes, but what of the round little pouch? This Sang A Mini Pop bag (though don't be fooled by the name; it's still big enough to store plenty of essentials) is adorable but still prefectly practical, luxe in black seasnake (yum..!)it also comes in blue/gold dégradé or bright yellow python and just a little edgy with that bright gold zipper trim

Where? www.sanga.com of course dahling!

to begin to beautify yourself

Did I say what a HUGE fan I am of Illamasqua?? I am so thrilled to share with you this piece of news - Alex Box, creative director of Illamasqua has recently finished wrapping up work on an extensive portfolio with photographer Nick Knight, getting model Kristen McMenamy camera-ready for Gareth Pugh’s spring 2011 concept video. Cannot wait to see that video when it goes LIVE.

Illamasqua, which opened the doors to a 1600-square-foot boutique and makeup school in London’s West End this fall will enable beauty enthusiasts who wander into the high-concept retail space enamoured by liquid-metal face pigments (in glimmering, straight-off-the-runway shades of teal and russet) or explosively colorful lipsticks. As for the adjacent school, Box says, “I wanted it to be a mix of talents: [professionals] from fashion and theater backgrounds and real people who just love makeup.” For that reason, Box—a democratic believer in beauty’s transformative power—has developed intensive two-hour courses for real girls who simply want to hone their skills. “People,” she says brightly of watching her master plan come together, “are already starting to congregate.”

The Illamasqua Store and School of Make-Up Art, 20 Beak Street London; makeup lessons from £50
www.illamasqua.com

matchy matchy

These Lanvin sneaks are totally the most awesome-ss, comfortable shoes ever!!! Punch-load of street cred.

love forever

There is no explanation needed when you have the best design......that’s the beauty of the brand’s Love collection, which was founded in the seventies by designer Aldo Cipullo’s now-iconic Love Bracelet. Its closure system is legendary: A tiny screw affixes it semi-permanently onto the wrist, only to be removed by the included screwdriver. According to Rainero, around the time of its debut, salespeople encouraged couples to buy them in pairs and toss away the key, as it were, making a commitment to love for life. (They were also instructed to avoid selling them to singletons, at least those who weren’t buying them as gifts for significant others.)

For the latest edition of the Love collection (in Cartier stores and online), however, not all of the pieces are so permanent. Pendant earrings in white gold and diamonds, drop necklaces, and sapphire-and-amethyst-crusted rings round out the offerings. But Love will always be known for its bracelets, and its newest is a stylish update, not to mention a fine concession to a more contemporary view of “forever.” Love everlasting? It’s a beautiful goal. But just in case it doesn’t work out, the pink gold chain comes with an easy-to-open lobster-claw clasp.

spooky muse

Just in time for Halloween: a gorgeously Bride of Frankenstein-ish Anja Rubik, shot for Muse Magazine by Solve Sundsbo. The veils, the hair, the curling smoke not to mention the scarily chic furry boots and more than a little PVC make for a full spread of costume inspiration.