Recently in Haute Couture Category

Tarina Tarantino is a name that has become synonymous among LA's elite fashionistas with one word... "sparkle"! Her products are whimsical and unique, and sometimes integrate a touch of the macabre. The designs of Tarina Tarantino are unmistakably girly, and while I am not one to leave my house dressed in pink and covered in sparkles, I found several items that felt very satisfyingly feminine. This Crystal Pave Mini Top Hat from her "Dollskin Collection" is my absolute favorite piece!! This hat is the most unquestionably fabulous accessory for the Holidays, and the only thing I would want to grace my coif come whatever New Years Eve party I choose to grace with my presence ;). Each Mini Top Hat is handmade and completely covered in Swarovski crystals (in the color of your choice, of course), and graced by a delicate frothy bouquet of tulle flowers set to one side. But you better make your purchase soon, because each piece is 'couture' you can expect a 3-4 week wait, which means you should order now if you want to wear this lovely item during the holidays!

Tarina with Nigel Barker and Ms J from Americas Next Top Model, and seated in her LA loft/shop.

Another reason for me to long for the City of Lights,,, at the risk of being banned from the New York shows forever, I have to say Paris Couture Week makes NY Fashion Week look like amateur hour. Hand engraved "Save the Date" invitations started showing up in my mail box from Armani Prive, Givenchy and others a month before the shows (whereas most of my NY fashion show invites would arrive a day before or worse, a week late). I was invited to the Christian Lacroix Couture show at the Centre Pompidou in Paris this week but could not attend as I am already back home in the States tending to personal business. I was also invited to lunch at the Lacroix atelier with Monsieur Lacroix himself (hosted by the fabulous Becca Cason Thrash) but I had another engagement and arrived in Paris the day after the event. Needless to say, I really have to plan my trips better next season. So I am relegated to drooling over the gorgeous creations of his latest Couture collection while sitting at my desk, but at least I was promised a viewing in person when the collection travels stateside. The private world of Haute Couture has fascinated me for years and now with the guidance of a few of my collector friends, I may be ready to take a swan dive into its gilded world. Did you know that seasoned Couture clients are never late to a show? Mostly because they want first dibs at the clothes. Unlike ready-to-wear, where mass production rules, once an item is spoken for in Couture-- you can rest assured that no one will be able to buy it again, ever. As for Couture bags, it is the ultimate indulgence for bag snobs! (jump for more pictures!)