Quote of the Week: Bo Derek

"Whoever said that money can’t buy happiness, simply didn’t know where to go shopping."

— Bo Derek

Bo Derek is an actress and model, best known for her role in the movie 10. 

Quote of the Week: Rachel Zoe

"Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak." -Rachel Zoe

Rachel Zoe is a fashion stylist, best known for her work with celebrities, fashion houses, and magazine editors. She now has her own fashion line and reality show on Bravo.

Quote of the Week: Diana Vreeeland

"The only real elegance is in the mind; if you’ve got that, the rest really comes from it."

— Diana Vreeland

Vreeland (1903-1989) is a noted fashion columnist and editor. She worked for Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, and the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Heelless High Heels

Yes, you read that correctly. Heelless high heels (or no heel high heels, optical illusion shoes, or unicorn heels) were first seen as a costume piece on Lady Gaga. We all laughed of course, but were internally intrigued.

Lady Gaga was the first celebrity to be noticed wearing heelless shoes.

Then celebrities like Victoria Beckham, Kim Kardashian, and Leeann Rimes started wearing them on the red carpet, around town, and posting pictures on their twitter accounts. 

Kim Kardashian showing off her grey Giuseppe  Zanotti heelless shoe.

Leann Rimes sports her heelless shoes around town.

Victoria Beckham kicks it up a notch in these heelless boots.

The two major designers creating these works of art are Noritaka Tatehana, who makes Lady Gaga's shoes, and Giuseppe Zanotti. Many eclectic designers have succumbed to the trend, including Alexander McQueen.  Though knock-offs and more affordable options are sure to follow soon. 

Alexander McQueen - Oyster Shell Wedge

Giuseppe Zanotti booties.

Quote of the Week: Alexander McQueen

"I think there is beauty in everything. What ‘normal’ people would perceive as ugly, I can usually see something of beauty in it."    — Alexander McQueen

Lee Alexander McQueen (1969-2010), a british fashion designer best known for his provocative fashion shows and detailed tailoring. 

Kate Middleton: Clothing Recycler

One of the reasons the world loves Kate Middleton is that she seems so accessible, so normal. It's no surprise that this has carried over into her style as Duchess Catherine. While she steps out in couture and designer clothing on the regular, she has a staple wardrobe she likes to re-style and wear again. While many may think it faux-pas for a woman of her stature to do so, it's just one of the reasons why we love her.

Example #1 LK Bennet Nude Patent Pumps

Kate LOVES these shoes, as she should. They go with just about anything, and must be very comfortable at this point.

Catherine showing how versatile the LK Bennet pumps are.

Example #2 Emilia Wickstead Dress

Catherine wore the dress twice back in May. The first time was at Buckingham Palace, for the Queen's Jubilee Lunch. The second time was at a Palace Garden Party.

Example #3 Alexander McQueen Statement Coat

A coat is a great item to recycle because you can easily change the look by what you wear underneath and accessorize with. Here, Kate wore the coat to a summer wedding in 2010. She wore it next in 2012 to the Duke of Edinburgh's 90th Birthday Celebration.

Example #4 Diane Von Furstenberg Maja Silk Dress

The first time she wore this dress was during the couple's official visit to California in 2011. Then, she paired the dress with a simple clutch and black pumps. The second time around she wore it was a couple months later to a wedding event for Zara Phillips. She paired it with nude pumps and gold jewelry.

Example #5 White Reiss Nanette Dress

Kate looked stunning in a white Reiss Nanette dress that she wore during an official engagement photo shoot. The dress must be special to her, she wore it again after they were married to a Canada Day celebration. 

Quote of the Week

"You've got to embrace what you don't know." -Sara Blakely, Inventor of Spanx

Blakely, the world's youngest self-made female billionaire.

Designer Profile: Mary Frances

Who is Mary Frances?

Mary Frances started designing and making handbags in her home over 23 years ago. She is a California native, and lives in the San Francisco Bay area. She took her vision to create unique, and quality accessories that express personality and style to a global multi-million dollar brand. 

Mary Frances Accessories

Mary Frances Accessories now employs over 700 people and sold in over 3,000 boutiques and department stores worldwide. What remains the same is the attention to detail and the fact that every single piece is still handmade. 

• 2004 Accessory Designer of the Year; Dallas Fashion Awards
• "Star of the Show" Paris Fashion Week in 2004 and 2005
• America's 500 Fastest Growing Private Businesses by Inc. Magazine (2004, 2005)
• One of the largest Woman-owned business by Inc. Magazine (2010)

Mary Frances Handbags

Mary Frances bags are inspired by fabrics, textures, and unique combinations of materials and colors. Each bag is unique and full of life. There are many Mary Frances fans and collectors. Some own anywhere from 30 to more than 100 bags. There is even a Mary Frances fan club. 

Her popularity extends to celebrities, including Oprah Winfrey, Teri Hatcher, Jennifer Aniston, and Kate Hudson. 

Here is a sample of Mary Frances Handbags available at Lilise Designer Resale:

Winner's Circle $199.00

What a Hoot $199.00

Turkish Nights $199.00

Quote of the Week

"Every moment one lives is different from the other. The good, the bad, hardship, the joy, the tragedy, love, and happiness are all interwoven into one single, indescribable whole that is called life. You cannot separate the good from the bad. And perhaps there is no need to do so, either.” -Jackie Kennedy Onassis

Paris Fashion Week: Fall Couture 2012 Wrap-up

While many people were kicking off the summer last week, Paris had moved on to Fall with Couture Fashion Week for Fall 2012. The week-long event holds fashion shows for all the major players, and attracts the biggest celebrities. 

Chanel creates "New Vintage"

Designer Karl Lagerfeld dubbed the collection "New Vintage", meaning "the same attitude, the same spirit, the same name, same concept -- but something for our time." 

Christian Dior debuts news head designer Raf Simons

Simons, who previously worked for Jil Sander, modeled his first Dior Couture line after the classic Dior silhouettes. This period, known as the "New Look", saw full skirts, peplums, and cigarette pants. 

"Kimye" hits Fashion Week

New celebrity couple Kim Kardashian and Kanye West attended the Stephane Rolland Couture Show, where the caused quite a stir. The designer was relatively unknown until the two were photographed wearing his designs throughout the week, including to his show. 

Kim and Kanye arrive at the Show

Here they are with Stephane Rolland (left).

Giambattista Valli's Butterflies and Florals

Giambattista Valli is always known to have overly feminine and detailed gowns. The Fall 2012 Couture collection was entirely floral themed. Each gown has either a beautiful floral print or dramatic floral arrangements. The models wore netting, and were decorated with butterflies. 

Celebrity Sightings

Front row and center: Elizabeth Banks, Christina Hendricks, MIA, and Jessica Alba watch the Versace Fall Couture show.

Real life Glee couple Cory Monteith and Lea Michele take in the Versace show. 

Jennifer Lawrence arrives at the Dior Couture fashion show.

Diane Kruger at Chanel Haute Couture show, with boyfriend Joshua Jackson.