Vivienne Westwood Opens First U.S. Boutique in LA

British designer Vivienne Westwood held a launch party yesterday celebrating the opening of her first U.S. boutique on LA's famous Melrose Avenue (The store opened its doors in early February 2011).

According to Vogue Magazine, the event attracted numerous celebrity friends and fans, such as Dita Von Teese, Marilyn Manson, Heidi Klum, and Zoe Saldana. Westwood's Corseted tops and dresses served as the main attraction of the evening. After the boutique's opening party, the crowd headed over to Chateau Marmont for a private dinner.

Vogue.com

MIu Miu's Teeny Tiny Crossbody Bags

The crossbody bag has quickly become the must-have accessory for Spring and Summer. And according to Miuccia Prada, the smaller the bag the more sophisticated the outfit. Miu Miu has just launched a new collection of light pastel-colored crossbody bags, close to the size of a large wallet. The new collection is available at Bergdorf Goodman's, Saks, Neiman Marcus, Barney's, and online at http://www.Net-a-Porter.com.

Miu Miu miniatures, photo courtesy of Harper's Bazaar Online

Marc Jacobs: Polka Dots for Fall-Winter 2011/2012

Marc Jacobs' longtime obsession with Japanese Artist Yayoi Kusama and her love for repetition has recently been channeled into the designer's newest 'Women's Ready To Wear' Collection. Since launching the famous candy-colored polka dots for Louis Vuitton in the Spring of 2007, Jacobs has gained notable attention for his obsession with patterned bags and clothing.

At Paris Fashion Week, models donned spunky, 1950's-inspired Parisian garb hidden underneath an overload of black speckles. Although any pattern this loud can be hard to pull off, this particular collection gives each piece a highly refreshing, youthful, and minimalist bearing.     

(Photos courtesy of Vogue.com)

Peter Dundas Uses Tyrolean Austria as Inspiration for the 2011 Fall-Winter Pucci Collection

This year's fall collection is not to be worn by the fashionably shy or uncertain. Pucci's newest project exudes confidence, adventure, and-- as usual, a whole lot of skin. The master behind the designs, Artistic Director Peter Dundas, used the exotic architecture of the Austrian Tyrolean Mountains as his muse.

Vogue.com

Vogue.com

Vogue.com

Throughout the show, models sashayed down the catwalk in short billowy frocks of cyan blue and long, black, beaded gowns suitable for a nineteenth-century dinner with the Empress Sissi of Austria.  

Vogue.com

Vogue.com

Double-breasted pantsuits were complimented by high neck collars and floral lace that added a Victorian ladylike charm to the unyielding sophistication of the modern day businesswoman.

Sheer blouses, feathered minidresses, tailored capris, and black lace turtlenecks managed to keep the model looking svelte and enchanting.    

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Leave it to Dundas to turn the black knee-length pencil dress into a flamboyant map of embroidered sparkle and gorgeous onyx velvet. The look is far from the minimalism of a D&G corset dress, but rather a collection of Austrian dirndles complete with Matador-styled embroidery and signature Pucci embellishments.

Vogue.com

Vogue.com

The period of the unshapely YSL tux is over. It is time to embrace the female body for what it is: influential, extravagant, and powerful-- and Dundas' Fall-Winter Collection has managed to do just that.