Roisin Murphy wears Gareth Pugh in her Overpowered video

Rock’n’roll has given us many a style icon–Bowie, Hendrix, and Cher, to name a few. And while latest fashionable sirens may turn out to be one-hit wonders in the sartorial sense (Amy Winehouse, could that be you?) there may be hope for a today’s chanteuses yet: Cue 34-year old Irish electronica singer Róisín Murphy.

Already popular in England (British Elle just ran a profile on her style and voice) Murphy always steps out in the edgiest designer gear, fantastically avant-garde stuff that looks like it was lifted from Tilda Swinton’s closet. The singer is already gaining fans in fashion circles: Her ‘Overpowered’ track was omnipresent during the recent runway shows, and (fittingly enough) in the video for the same song, Murphy wore several head-turning creations from industry darlings, Gareth Pugh and Viktor & Rolf. Listen (here), look (below), and learn: You’ve got to love a pop-singer who favors edgy, thoughtful threads. Clearly Murphy’s one to watch.

Murphy wears Viktor & Rolf in her Overpowered video

Video stills from RM’s own website, others from Wireimage 

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Lydia Hearst for Puma

Time and time again, the “do one thing and do it well,” M.O. proves to be a recipe for success. For her debut collaborative project with sportswear giant Puma, model Lydia Hearst (a first-time designer) chose to focus on a single product–a racquetball bag in this case–tweaking and perfecting the carrier into one stylish tote.

The Lydia Hearst Holiday Bag

Available in black& blue or steely gray patent, the limited-edition $125 bag hits select stores on December 3rd–as do the corresponding posters which feature Lydia in a Norma Kamali bathing suit and Lia Sophia necklace crouched in a feline-like stance. (See above. The image’s art direction, specifically her puma poses, was Hearst’s idea too.) Hoping to glean more insight from the smart’n'fit Miss Hearst, we asked her to give us ten:

1. Love the colors; why’d you choose gray, black, and blue?
I wanted to use colors that can be easily dressed up or down and worn for any occasion.

2. What’s your favorite detail on the bag, and why?
I love the texture of the stitching and the simple detailing on each bag. It is the intricate details and accessories that make this bag special.

3. What do you keep in your Puma bag?
Personally I keep my modeling portfolio, NARS lipgloss, my wallet, Metrocard, and my cell phone.

4. What’s on your gym playlist?
I prefer to listen to music that is upbeat. I listen to Rihanna, Fall Out Boy, Kanye West, Timbaland, Jackson Browne.

5. Sounds like an intense list. Would you describe yourself as being competitive? Yes.

6. On a scale of 1 to 10, how good of a racquet ball player
are you?
I would have to say about 5 or 6, I’m very average at racquet ball.

7. What about in high school? What sports did you play?
Skiing, Softball and Cheerleading.

8. What’s your favorite spectator sport?
Baseball and Football.

9. What’s your favorite place to work out in NYC?
I work out with my personal trainer, David Kirsch.

10. What’s your work-out liquid of choice? Smartwater.

*Images courtesy Puma*

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As you can imagine, there a few perks to being a fashion editor. For me, number one on that list is being able to spend time with—and get all kinds of sartorial insight from— talented designers. Not long ago, I dropped in on Ashleigh Verrier to catch up with one of my favorite young designers. As I was lamenting over the fact that the best vintage stores seem to be on the West Coast, Verrier—whose own collection draws on classically feminine shapes—generously shared the address of one of her favorite vintage emporiums in New York: Rare Vintage, 24 West 57th Street, Suite 501.

We then traveled uptown to Rare’s loft-like space where Verrier took me through the racks where she often finds inspiration for her collections. We pored over the tantalizing ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s couture-like pieces from YSL, Chloe, and Christian Dior that Rare’s owner, Juliana Cairone, has amassed, while Verrier pointed out well-crafted details that only a designer’s eye could see. For your own vintage lesson from Verrier, check out our field trip video, and for even more insight from the tasteful designer—without all the time-consuming trouble of becoming a fashion editor—check out her guide to creative gifts.

Rare Vintage

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“Everything I liked was on the other side of the water,” Coco Chanel once said about England. While many of us get all anglophilic for everything from Garrard to Kate Moss, Prince Harry and Preen, the Mademoiselle was more than likely referring to her string of British gents, most notably the Duke of Westminster. (Today you can still see W beneath her interlocking CCs emblazoned lampposts throughout London, which was rumored to be his love letter to her during their tumultuous affair. Kind of raises the bar on the whole tokens of affection concept, eh?)

Today, the folks at the French house have a laundry-list of Chanel’s English-inspired designs—including the house’s signature tweeds, Fair Isle-like cardigans, and nautical stripes—and through that lens, it’s easy to see that Coco’s strictly elegant designs do echo the monarchy’s aesthetic. This parallel will no doubt become even clearer on December 6th, when the current King of Fashion, Karl Lagerfeld, presents his “London” collection in the British capital.

So what can you expect to see in the runway show? Clothes for the Commonwealth? High-tea dresses? Union Jack-printed jackets? Hoping so satisfy our inquiring minds, the Chanel house staffers sent over this teaser clip, but much like one of Chanel’s little black dresses, it tempts without saying a thing. Stay tuned for more…

Technorati Tags: Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld, London, Fashion Show, British Fashion, Runway Shows, Coco Chanel

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Julianne Moore & Maggie Gyllenhaal at the New Museum/Calvin Klein bash

At last night’s Calvin Klein-hosted New Museum opening bash, the VIP crowd wore (predictably and wonderfully enough) Francisco Costa’s latest runway hits.

Thandie Newton

But Ashley Olsen earned major kudos (in my book at least) for sporting a look that paid homage to Calvin Klein’s minimalist heritage. Her skinny black column skirt–worn to reveal a flash of her well-defined hipbone–channeled the body-conscious threads Kate Moss and her CK One crew wore back in the ’90s. Even Olsen’s perfectly tousled locks look straight from the original waif decade.

Ashley Olsen

*Wireimage

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Most of you know New Zealander Karen Walker for her hip, girly threads, but her sleekly retro shades should be on your radar too. I was reminded of Walker’s skill in the accessory realm today when a look-book for her spring collection of spectacles and sunglasses came in the mail.

Entitled Tears of Joy, the book pairs pictures of voluptuous blooms next to happy-sad models sporting Walker’s eyewear. I mean, beautiful blooms, killer shades and quirky Facebook-perfect snapshots? What more could you want, for crying out loud? Walker’s shades for yourself you say? Try here.

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Ok I know I’ve been slacking on the fashion updates, but I’ve caught the pre-holiday planning fever. Specifically the present-planning, giving and happily receiving part. In both my list-making and list-comparing conversations, the idea of techy presents has come up several times. Sometimes gadget gifts go over well, and sometimes they don’t, but the trick is—especially when tracking down something special for those hard-to-shop for gals—to get something that’s as stylish as it is useful. (Indeed, that should be your shopping M.O. for just about everything.)

To help listmakers like me—as well as gizmo lovers who are shopping for the girl in their life— here’s a list of the chicest contraptions around.

Smart Candles

To appeal to her romantic side (or to appease those with OCD tendencies) scoop up some Smart Candles. Fragrance, heat, and wax-free, the battery-operated LED lights will glow for up to 50 hours. $26.00 for two @ Moma

Karaoke Microphone

Show-tune loving divas will scream with delight when they receive Hammacher Schlemmer’s Karaoke Microphone, which turns your iPod and home stereo system into a karaoke club. Priced at just $49.95, you can get it for—wait for it—a song. Better warn your neighbors now. Only at Hammacher Schlemmer.

Hammacher Schlemmer’s Electrical Adapter

As any globetrotter will tell you, having an electrical adapter is the most important—albeit perhaps the least glamorous—accoutrement in a jet-setter’s valise. Make your gift of this compact, versatile device a little more exciting by presenting it with tickets for two to Portugal, Thailand, or any of the 150 other countries this little number works in. $29.95

Bliss Earphones

While white earphones from you-know-who are all well and good, Bliss’s noise-reducing earbuds in Schiaparelli’s shocking pink are totally in tune with a glamour girl’s taste. $45.00 at Moma

Monacca’s Calculator

For your favorite Louboutin-wearing number cruncher, Monacca’s cedar-covered calculator will be the perfect accent for her corner office. $95 at Vivre

USB memory cards from Vivre and Swarovski (right)

Lovers of the trendy lodge-aesthetic will cozy up to Ooom’s wooden USB memory sticks ($170 each at Vivre) while bauble heads may end up wearing Swarovski’s crystal-covered USB memory key. The techy gem holds capacity to hold 1 GB, the equivalent to about 1000 photos or 250 songs. Uploading Ice, Ice Baby before presenting it to the lucky recipient only increases its charm. $178 at Swarovski

Flip Ultra Digital Camera

Scene-stealing party-girls and pensive auteurs alike will appreciate Flip’s new mini video camera. Available in a rainbow of cheery, Luella Bartley-like shades, the camera features a flip-out USB port, making downloading those clips—be they of fashion shows or something far more personal—a cinch. $179.99 at TheFlip.com

Mini Leica Camera

Leica’s pint-size 5.0 mega-pixtel digital camera—a miniature version of the brand’s iconic rangefinder—will fit perfectly into one of spring’s day-to-night clutches. And at $225 , it’s a fraction of the price of designer bags. $225 at Urban Outfitters

Tivoli Audio

While all those loud’n’large sound-systems do the trick for bachelor pads, Tivoli’s sleekly compact system will fit right in with her well-appointed abode. Available in 3 different color ways, there’s one sure to suit her interior palette. $599.99 at Tivoli Audio

You’ll notice I didn’t put any nifty cell phones on my list. That’s because the mobile area isn’t exactly my area of expertise. Fortunately for you (and me), TLC’s Stacy London and Sprint know plenty about such things. Take their super-fast quiz on how to find out which phone is in keeping with your (or her) personal style.

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A sketch of Roberto Cavalli’s for the Spice Girls’ reunion tour

Here’s a peek at Roberto Cavalli’s costumes for the upcoming Spice Girls reunion tour. I won’t bother with the where, what, when of it all right now, but instead I’ll leave you with these questions to mull over: Can you tell who is who in this sketch (or in person) ? Can you remember the last time you saw Posh with her arms up, all akimbo? And is that tinsel-trimmed tuxedo jacket Sporty is wearing? Could this mean that metallics here to stay?

For help sorting out these mindbenders, take a look at how Cavalli’s costumes turned out:

Spice Girls in Roberto Cavalli’s costumes in Vancouver, on the eve of their international tour

Fascinating to see how the sketch is translated into garments, eh? The popstars wore the designer’s blinged-out threads on the kick-off performance in Vancouver, B.C. The various forms of glittery attire echoed some of the styles worn by the stars during their first round in the spotlight…

1997 BillboardMusic Awards

…but not all…

The Spice Girls at their London premiere of “Spice World,” December 1997

Clearly Mr. Cavalli made the right decision to leave the matching pinstripe suits in the past. After all, you can’t express your signature style through shoes, bra, and hairstyle alone…or can you? Oh, what philosophical debates these Spice Girls create!

For more on the superstars’ super style & super life, check out:

Victoria Beckham hitting up fashion week…

…And leaving a trail of chaos behind her

Roberto Cavalli’s costume of choice

Posh’s beauty evolution: From lean brunette to an even leaner blonde

Mrs. Beckham: Naughty or Nice? You decide.

(Top image from designer, Splash, Wire, and Getty)

Technorati Tags: Spice Girls, Roberto Cavalli, Posh, Victoria Beckham, Spice World

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Disclaimer: The following words are for fashion nerds only.

Is it just me or does WWD’s covergirl (above) look a heck of a lot like Sarah Lerfel? Something about the model’s pixie cut, somber expression, and geek-chic attire calls to mind the cool head honcho of Paris’ colette boutique. With a few more inspired-by moments like this, the front-row regular will become a bona-fide fashion icon in her own right, joining the ranks of Anna Piaggi, Isabella Blow, and more. Let the worshipping begin…

Colette’s Sarah Lerfel, as seen on Style.com

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An interior shot of the Fendi-designed Sima yacht

As if the recent Great Wall of China extravaganza didn’t fully articulate their top-tier status in Amex Black circles, the folks over at Fendi are now lending their Midas touch to yachts. The Ferretti group (no relation to Italian designer Alberta Ferretti, or else this would be a far more gossipy story) which owns CRN yachts, has tapped the Karl Lagerfeld-helmed label to decorate the interior of new mega-vessel SIMA. The nautical masterpiece—a 128 foot, 12-person, showboat of the grandest sort—features plush leather couches, fur-trimmed pillows and other runway-worthy materials. Decorated in a somber palette of chocolate, ivory, and black—and nary a FF logo to be seen—the boat puts a new spin on nautical style.

Sima’s dining room

Top image from CRN, bottom from SuperYachtTimes . For an impressively detailed description of the boat, click here.

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