Mark Newson’s Dom Pérignon

 Years ago, the archetypal American Dad was a beer-swilling figure, but today, we realize that some paternal figures have a more delicate palate. With this modern man in mind, why not break out a bottle of high-design bubbly this Father’s Day? Dom Pérignon recently tapped design guru Marc Newson to engineer a sleek, collectable vessel, the Dom Pérignon by Marc Newson Magnum Container, Season Two. Constructed from sleek aluminium and filled with a bottle of Dom Pérignon’s finest champagne it’s just the thing for the cosmopolitan Pop. Available at Moss New York and Los Angeles for $1,000.

Love This Story? Buzz It Up Here!

Stumble It! Save to del.icio.us Digg Email Facebook

Can’t Buy Me Love. Maid to Order. Mannequin. Long before imported glossies, jet-set artists and French actresses started shaping my definition of style, these films informed my first impression of what was cool. Blame it on the steady stream of fashion flashbacks that brightened up the spring runway shows, but lately my closet and I have been regressing to the ‘80s—specifically to the era’s jock looks.

Now, with summer upon us, I’ve been trying to track down the perfect swimsuit to complete my Heathers-worthy wardrobe, as few things scream old-school-sexy-rich-bitch like a rainbow-bright bikini. (Just ask Phoebe Cates who was immortalized in Fast Times at Ridgemont High, thanks in part to a memorable cherry-colored swimsuit.) With the hopes of channeling these Brat Pack sex symbols, I’ve outlined my top picks for this summer’s pool-side attire:

All suits from Net-A-Porter, Intermix, and Bluefly

Love This Story? Buzz It Up Here!

Stumble It! Save to del.icio.us Digg Email Facebook

Long before Ralph, Tommy, and Tory dabbled in country club-chic, brands all along the Eastern seaboard pioneered—and perfected—distinctive preppy styles. In honor of summer’s arrival—and with it, many picturesque clambakes, tennis matches, and polo games—we pay homage to iconic blue-blood brands. So before you board the puddle-jumper or pour yourself a T&T, take cues from this short-list when planning your preppy summer wardrobe:

Lilly Pulitzer

Jackie Kennedy—the patron saint of all-American style—was one of the first lady-like tastemakers to sport Lilly Pulitzer’s distinctive, patterned frocks. (The former First Lady and the designer were class-mates at the Chapin school in Manhattan’s Upper East Side.) Since the Palm Beach-based label’s inception in the late ‘60s, many of Jackie O’s fans (and really, who isn’t one!?!) have followed suit.

Stubbs & Wootton

A favorite all along the Eastern Seaboard from Palm Beach (where the label got its start) to Newport, Stubbs & Wootton slip-ons are a staple of upper-crust attire.

Emilio Pucci

A favorite of the pearl-wearing set, Pucci’s swirling prints have been hostess-attire since the 1960s, when hostess-with-the-mostesses like C.Z.Guest and Babe Paley began sporting the Italian house’s signature frocks.

Vera Bradley

Vera Bradley’s quilted duffel bags are a frequent fixture on Nantucket ferries, Palm Beach puddle-jumpers, and Newport sidewalks. Fortunately for us, these cheery satchels–priced between $50 and $150–don’t require trust funds to purchase.

Sperry Topsider

Whether on or off the water, the yachting crowd often opts for the sweet, starboard-ready boat shoes from Sperry Topsider.

CK Bradley

Founded in 1999 by young Manhattanite Camilla Bradley (then a student at the prestigious Trinity school) CK Bradley features a candy-colored assortment of cheekily-printed belts, headbands, and more Blair Waldorf-worthy accessories.

David Yurman

Those that think of “summer” as a verb prefer the sophisticated, yet simple designs of David Yurman. The jeweler’s signature twist and buckle-accented baubles complement both private school wardrobes and doyenne dress.

Kenneth Jay Lane

Coral pendants, colorful enamel, and charming aquatic animals are key motifs in Kenneth Jay Lane’s cheap’n'chic baubles. (Because the diamond tennis bracelet can be so gauche to wear non-stop in the summer.)

L.L.Bean

A must-have from Cape Cod shores to South Hampton greens, monogram-ready totes from Maine’s L.L.Bean label appeal to those whose surname comes with stately roman numerals.

Vineyard Vines

Founded by former investment bankers, brothers Shep & Ian Murray, Vineyard Vines takes its name and aesthetic inspiration—think seersucker shorts, patchwork skirts, and ribbon belts—from the tony vacation hot-spot, Martha’s Vineyard.

Love This Story? Buzz It Up Here!

Stumble It! Save to del.icio.us Digg Email Facebook

Lately, only designer/celebrity/artist/DJ fashion collaborations have been able to turn style-savvy heads. (Comme des Garcons for H&M! Michel Gaubert for Longchamp! Murakami for Vuitton (again)!) But here at GlamChic, we don’t discriminate: Cheap, everyday items are just as likely to earn our stamp of approval as their high-concept counterparts. For instance, today we stumbled upon this little Grecian number at Target. While not labeled as one of the mega-store’s many darling guest designer collections, the piece references the runways’ goddess trend but, fortunately for us wallet-watchers, it comes with a super-friendly price-tag. Listed at $39.99, mighty Aphrodite herself wouldn’t be able to resist such an affordable piece.

Alberta Ferretti’s take on the Greek goddess trend, Spring 2008

Love This Story? Buzz It Up Here!

Stumble It! Save to del.icio.us Digg Email Facebook

That It-bag of yours might be roomy, but is it ready for the long haul? That’s the question you might have to ask yourself after reading the NYTimes profile of Bottega Veneta’s Thomas Maier, which highlighted the rising trend of anonymous—and timeless—bags. Maier, as you may know, made his name on engineering subtle luxuries—from woven leather totes to deceptively simple dresses—whose appeal could only be recognized by a small, elite circle.

Of course, the same can be said of other players in the handbag arena, including Comme des Garcons, Martin Margiela, and Vanessa Bruno who unveil low-key, logo-free carryalls season after season. As the inevitable backlash to the It-bag and sluggish economies, more and more designers are following this design M.O. as more and more shoppers are seeking out whose style half-life will last longer than 6 months. Should you choose to embark on a similar quest this spring, here’s a cheat sheet to the chicest anonymous bags around.

The best anonymous bags come from designers few have heard of, like this butter-soft suede hobo from handbag newcomer Veda. $565, at Intermix.

Or alternately, this gently distressed leather satchel from a brand named Boyv. $792 at Shopbop.

Short, squat, and sans embellishments, this Jil Sander bag is ladylike yet not prissy. $1140 at Yoox.

Though best known for their delectable shoes, the folks at Loeffler Randall also apply their exquisite urban taste to handbags. How fortunate for us. $725 at Shopbop.

With no flashy hardware to tarnish or cease being trendy, this black Malababa bag is one to have and to hold for years. $690 at Shopbop.

J.Crew’s versatile (shoulder and arm straps) and fresh (bright white leather) offers high-style without a precious price-tag. $235 at J.Crew.

“Understated and yet utterly distinctive,” is the tagline that comes with this nude leather Vanessa Bruno bag. $628, at Shopbop

With a nod to other iconic canvas totes (L.L.Bean and Jack Spade) this In God We Trust carryall puts a rugged twist on the unisex style. $75 at Refinery29

Love This Story? Buzz It Up Here!

Stumble It! Save to del.icio.us Digg Email Facebook

Though it may seem otherwise, this is not an ad. This is a public service announcement, aimed at directing you (shoe-crazy shoppers) to good deals (like this one). ($150 in play money after snapping up 2 pairs of heels? Why, it almost justifies the splurge. Nice.)

Also, it’s as good a time as any to my testimonial of appreciation to Saks, specifically the now-famous zip code shoe floor in their Fifth Avenue flagship. Shopping in NYC department stores isn’t usually my bag (the crowds, the top 40 soundtrack, the cheerful barrage of things I can’t afford) but Saks’ shoe selection, sales, and staff really can’t be beat. If you’re in town, swing by the store and ask for the charming Dennis (who has an editor’s eye for shoes, knows what’s going on sale next, and won’t lie when you ask him if your feet look fat) and he’ll help you out. In the meantime, put your heels up and hop online for some affordable retail therapy.

Love This Story? Buzz It Up Here!

Stumble It! Save to del.icio.us Digg Email Facebook

It’s been a hectic day here at GlamChic, what with trend stories being churned out on the hour every hour, shoes just begging to be tried on, and appointments up the wazoo and all. Fortunately, my stress-detox treatment arrived today in the form of J.Crew’s cheery, pint-sized accessories catalog. (Funny that: It’s the perfect shape to pop in my totally on-trend, oversize clutch!) Filled with delectable–and affordable!!!–candy-colored novelties, the book satisfied both my sweet tooth and my spring fever. If you can’t scurry home right now to see if you to received the catalog du jour, just take a gander at the goods online.

Love This Story? Buzz It Up Here!

Stumble It! Save to del.icio.us Digg Email Facebook

Couture Slouch Nesting Dolls, $50, Etsy

My friend Joanna pointed these chic nesting dolls out to me today, which helped me out by 1) giving me a cute item to post about this A.M. and 2) finding the perfect B-day present for a fashiony aesthete I know. In addition to channeling the same kind of retro glamour that appears in AMC’s Mad Men (another stylish treat that will make my day when it comes around again) the old-school styles look vaguely familiar to those that just premiered on Louis Vuitton’s runway. Priced at just $50, cozying up to the nesting dolls is far easier than slipping into Vuitton’s pricey (gorgeous) threads.

Runway snaps = Elle.com & GettyImages

Love This Story? Buzz It Up Here!

Stumble It! Save to del.icio.us Digg Email Facebook

Sofia Coppola at the Dior’s Versailles Couture bash this summer

Between her Parisian baby daddy, a 6th arrondissement address, and that little film called Marie Antoinette, Sofia Coppola might was well be French, right? That being true, I think it’s OK to indulge in a little ode-de-Coppola during my Paris fashion week coverage.

Last season, the highlight of the week was crossing paths with the APC-clad icon as she strolled her baby Romy down the street. Sofia was wearing black flats. So was I. We’re both brunettes. I’m pretty sure we bonded, silently, over our similarities. At least that’s what I like to tell myself.

Earlier this week I found myself in the same neighborhood (and no, I’m not stalking. I had an appointment there I swear!) and a store window full of engraving examples caught my eye. While American aesthetes are all about their letterpress, the French taste makers adore their engraveurs.

Lo and behold, what do I see but a letterhead for none other than Sofia’s pater familias, Francis Coppola. Immediately I think that the example of the engraveur’s work must have been a gift from Sofia to her father. (What else do you get for the man who has everything? She’s a genius! I think.) Then I remember that her pere has a house around here too, so perhaps he’s purchased them for himself, which takes the cards’ preciousness level down a notch or two.

Then I spot a blank calling card for un autre French style goddess, Charlotte Gainsbourg. I have a theory about why such a well-known figure would need a calling card, but I’ll save that for another reverential post and be a servant to you faithful readers instead. To track down some Coppola-approved stationery, try these two locales:

Olivier De Sercey

96 Rue du Bac, 75007 PARIS
www.olivierdesercey.com

Benneton Graveur

(Sofia’s graveur of choice as per the New York Times)
75 Boulevard Malesherbes, 75008 PARIS
www.bennetongraveur.com

Love This Story? Buzz It Up Here!

Stumble It! Save to del.icio.us Digg Email Facebook