The Dolce & Gabbana Spring 2009 show has us dreaming of silk pajamas and house clothes gone glam. Although the reference in their collection is explicit, you can interpret the pajama trend with street-appropriate silk garments and slipper-like footwear. We've already reported on the lingerie trend which was big on the Spring 09 catwalks so we guess you could say that Dolce & Gabbana (as is typical of them) took things one step further.
There is nothing more fool-proof than a feminine silk tank in a wardrobe, and earth tones (although black is essential too) are the most useful. Pair these tanks with jeans, masculine trousers, leggings, or a high waisted skirt and you're good to go. Layer with sweaters, blazers, and cardigans in the winter, and, in the summer, let those bronzed shoulders show. The silk tank is a year-round investment.
I love a good plush seat, but sometimes I can't help but sacrifice comfort for good looks. And, that time is now. The Antique Ebonized and Turquoise Silk Chairs ($1,300 for pair) from Paris Hotel Boutique don't look one bit comfortable, but they're just so ravishing. I think it's the juxtaposition of the contemporary turquoise Dupioni silk with the 1900s ebonized and gilt design. I imagine the chairs were originally upholstered in a fussy floral, but the lack of pattern here really lets the chairs' beautiful shape shine. I'd set them at the heads of a dining table, paired with some basic black Louis XV chairs, or station one in a quiet hallway to provide a pop of color.
Silk has a new look; it's more relaxed but hardened with tough details. This new silk utilitarian twist is more wearable and comfortable. Silk tops, jumpers, pants, and accessories have been updated with drawstrings, zippers and cargo pockets to lend a simultaneously chic and casual look. Gianfranco Ferre (left) went casual-lux with this zippered grape silk mechanic pantsuit. Now, buying silk can be an investment so I provided a couple silk-like items for you to wear this slick trend without stretching your wallet. As always, have fun . . .
I have a closet confession: I veer towards solids. Prints are tricky for me — I tend to tire of a print after a couple years. Is that normal?
I have always liked polka dots, and stripes, but when it comes to geometric patterns or florals they just don't keep me inspired. Therein lies the beauty of silky blues. Though these pieces are solid, they have charisma. The silky fabrics make them appear fluid and sexy. We experienced a wave of moody blues at the Grammys this year — but Demi outshines them all in this bias cut silky blue Zac Posen.
You know those days. Those days you just feel like throwing on a comfy tee, your favorite jeans and tried and true jewelry. That day is Sunday for me. But these days, Sundays can be a little more fanciful thanks to fancy tees. The Olsens have proven a Hanes V-neck can support a high fashion look, but a silk tee, a cool tee or a slightly ruched tee can do that too. It's fancy tee time.
If you can't swing the tansu shelves then Gump's can provide you with these super-on-sale silk floor pillows ($69.99, originally $150). These tailored Silk Floor Pillows would work equally well for meditation or entertaining a group of friends. Inspired by traditional zen pillows, the dupioni silk cushions are tailored with soft pleats and a mango-hued top panels and filled with naturally resilient, supportive kapok fivers.
Alexander McQueen is known for his avant-garde designs, so this Alexander McQueen Tulle-Underlay Silk Dress, $3,480, comes as no surprise. Though I am crushing on the mandarin collar, I can do without the tulle-underlay. It looks as though the wind is eternally blowing the dress up. Do you love it or hate it?
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Silk is like that good-looking celebrity you admire from afar for a while, and when you finally get the chance to sit down and talk to them, they turn out to be vapid and uninteresting. The strength of this movie lies in the visuals, as was the case with another of director François Girard's aesthetically appealing films, The Red Violin. Nature appears to be at its most lush and there are some gorgeous costumes. François Girard and his cinematographer Alain Dostie also seem to have a love for Asian cultures, creating stunning shots of the landscape and people alike. Yet beyond the visuals the movie has an empty feeling to it.
Michael Pitt sleepily plays Hervé, a young silk merchant who travels to a remote part of Japan for healthy eggs at the prompting of his ambitious boss Baldabiou (Alfred Molina, bringing his usual strength and warmth). While there, he encounters a beautiful concubine with whom he becomes obsessed. Even when he's not required to return to Japan and despite political strife rendering the journey dangerous, he goes anyway, inexplicably drawn to this woman with whom he can't even communicate. For more about Silk, read more
