Hot Cross!

CC is having a religious experience! Whether a jewel unto itself or a decorative element on a garment, the cross has been resurrected, and is being worshipped by design houses such as Lacroix, Givenchy, McQueen and Garrard.

Christian Lacroix Spring 2008, at top left, via nymag.com

Christian Lacroix Fall 2008 Couture, at right

Christian Lacroix Couture, cross detail

Chado Ralph Rucci

Givenchy

Givenchy, via nymag.com

The iconography of the cross is perhaps most comfortably ensconced in necklaces, as evinced by the multitude of crosses adorning Givenchy's runway chains, pictured at right.

Even the Project Runway designers got in on the trend (see red cross at left, via nymag.com).

This lovely Vania Nielsen crystal pearl Maltese cross necklace is currently on sale at intermixonline.com.

Or you can get the look quite inexpensively with this charm necklace from forever21.com.

The appeal of the cross has expanded to include other jewels as well:

How gorgeous are these Alexander McQueen bracelets, featured in French Vogue online?

CC is also drawn to this King Baby sterling silver crowned heart cross cuff. Visit chickdowntown.com.

And who wouldn't worship this Garrard black and white diamond ring? Delfina Delettrez makes a subversive statement with this gold, silver, onyx and diamond brooch by using a decorative serpent. This and previous photo via elle.com.

A more colorful rendition is offered by Jay Strongwater; get his cross pin at Bergdorf Goodman for just over a hundred dollars.
If jewels aren't your thing, wear an Ed Hardy cross-emblazoned crewneck tunic. Go to bluefly.com to buy on sale!

Or sport these Forever 21 Maltese cross shorts.
Subtler still, wear your crosses cleverly woven into the pockets of your Habitual Standard Glory Pocket bootcut jeans! Purchase at revolveclo-thing.com.

Fashion credits: Runway photos in this post courtesy style.com except where noted.

THE NEW NOVIA

POST MODERN BRIDE

Today’s Novia, as the Spanish call a betrothed woman, is not slavishly beholden to tradition. She takes the styles of her forebears and reinterprets them, or abandons them altogether!

Couture Carrie admits that the “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue” superstition is one that will survive the ages, but today’s bride is not afraid to combine them.

The focus of today’s post is the forsaking of the traditional white gown in favor of color. After all, the ivory-clad bride is a rather modern invention, as chronicled in Color Me Beautiful, a recent W Magazine article which explains that “white has only been donned by Western brides since the Victorian era, when . . . Queen Victoria set a trend by slipping into a colorless lace confection” for her 1840 wedding. Read the full article at http://www.wmagazine.com/fashion/2008/06/colorful_brides.

Georgina Chapman's new wedding line actually includes black in the “color” repertoire. Photo at top left of black and white Marchesa gowns with floral appliqué courtesy wmagazine.com.

It is the right (nay, obligation) of the bride to simply don a gorgeous gown, in whatever shocking shade she so desires. It is, after all, her day – her very own red carpet. It may, indeed, be her only chance to wear such a sumptuous frock and be famous for the day. Weddings are the new Oscars!

In that vein, Couture Carrie takes great pride in suggesting some lovely bridal gowns in adventurous hues (and also

some less traditional cream-hued stunners).

My personal favorite, in a signature CC shade, is the Zac Posen purple gown shown at upper right, taken from the pages of Spanish VOGUE. It is decadent, alluring, sultry, and fabulously flattering, with a plunging neckline, delicate feathered straps, and expert draping.

A brave bride indeed might don Gai Mattiolo’s rose asymmetrical gown, from the Hiver 2009 Paris Collection, as pictured in French VOGUE.

Or go glamorously green with this Amanda Wakely spaghetti strap slipdress . . . ideal for l'mariage sur l'herbe.

If you are insistent upon a white or ivory gown (such as the Armani Privé, Douglas Hannant, Carlos Miele, and Dolce & Gabbana gowns pictured from top to bottom at left, via nymag.com), may Couture Carrie at least suggest an adventurous shoe, in a purple or periwinkle?

Several years ago, Christian Louboutin introduced a wildly successful line of wedding footwear (now, sadly, no longer in production) that rejected the traditional Louboutin red sole in favor of a baby blue one, providing something both new and blue for the lovely lady’s upcoming nuptials. Pure genius!

The best part about opting to wear color here is that you can buy the most fabulously decadent and expensive pair of Jimmy Choos and actually get to wear them again!

CC likes Manolo Blahnik’s blue satin Sedaraby (pictured here at right and available at Barneys New York). Or go for a strappy Alexandra Neel sandal in a luscious shade of chartreuse. Remember: it is your day, and your privilege to express yourself.

Be a slave to tradition only if it works for you...

Music to my Eyes

PIANO WOMAN

You’ll see these musical instruments before you hear them!

On the runways, the iconography of music was, if not prevalent, then at least present.

At right, view the ebullient satin Andrea Turchi gown, with saxophone player leitmotif. Photo via Italian Vogue.

At left, Jean Charles de Casteljabac emblazons the F-holes of a cello on a classic white button-front shirt.

British company sugarpopclothing.com offers this black halter dress with pink musical notes . . . cotton candy colored hair optional.

But it seems, when it comes to musical fashion for the masses, the piano is still king.

We all remember the famous yuppified 80s piano tie . . . But have you seen Karl Lagerfeld’s famous piano dress for Chanel, which was exhibited at a show at the Victoria and Albert Museum? Photo at right courtesy picasaweb.com.

Would you like to wear your music, too? To the tune of about ten dollars, you can get either some silly keyboard theme socks, at pianosupplies.com or a pair of piano key flip flops (pictured at right), at wetseal.com.

For a song, snap up the croc-embossed leather Dutchy piano-print clutch pictured at left. Go to couturecandy.com.

FOILED AGAIN

We, like sharks and babies, are attracted to shiny things . . . And thus begins Couture Carrie’s aluminum-inspired post.

Of course, we are all now intimately familiar with Nina Ricci’s pleated tin-foil-esque creation, worn by (1) Sarah Jessica Parker at the New York premiere of the SATC movie [pink carpet photo at left via elle.com]; (2) socialite Lauren Santo Domingo on the Met red carpet [photo at right via rexfeatures.com]; and (3) Lindsay Lohan on the pages of Bazaar. SJP and La Lohan aren’t the only ones sporting the look. Just witness the recent runway rampage, like this Carlos Miele aluminum foil gown (pictured at left, via Vogue Italia). The crinkly metallic fabric and contrasting butterfly bust are delightful! This frock is adventurous, yet wearable.
Blade Runner meets couture at Paul & Joe, where a side-tied, bubble-shouldered silver tarp was paired with matching lace-up ankle boots. Pic via Australian Vogue.

At Jasmine di Milo, the foil took the shape of a tee shirt dress with front seams and a teeny tiny mini skirt. For playing tennis on the Starship Enterprise? Photo courtesy Italian Vogue's online coverage of the Fall 2008 Milan runway shows.

Fret not, my futuristically challenged fashionistas. If the preceding dresses are too OTT for you, simply channel the trend with a flashy foiled accessory.

I have always been a fan of the chic and practical Wellington, but I have truly fallen for the fab new range of colors offered by the original and best: Hunter Boots. Just get a load of these fabulous silver rain boots, for purchase at winknyc.com.

If you are less farm girl and more It Girl, then you should absolutely snap up a pair of this Paule Ka mirrored platform pumps, recently featured in French Vogue's online accessories roundup.

Favoring a statement bag? The nickel-hued options are numerous. Couture Carrie is digging this Dolce & Gabbana Miss Easy Way metallic Boston bag (left), for purchase at eLuxury.com.

Or try Gucci's metallic wristlet clutch (photo at right courtesy French Vogue).

I'M A BIG FAN!

Cosi Fan Tutte

Fan motifs blew in from all sides at the fall RTW shows. Both Derek Lam and Ermanno Scervino showed gorgeous black gowns with delicate folds of fabric that fanned the models' faces. Derek Lam's (top right, photo via nymag.com) was both substantial and shiny, creating

an evocative hourglass silhouette. Ermanno Scervino's interpretation (top left; photo courtesy Italian Vogue online) was more subtle, with a transparent half circle of origami-folded chiffon capping the bust and a wispy, layered skirt.

Joanna Mastroianni's short red strapless stunner offered looser folds, and a cheekily "casual" vibe due to on-seam pockets. Photo at right via nymag.com/fashion.

GRAY MATTERS

I know it's difficult to contemplate fall on such a gorgeous, sunny spring day, but we simply must keep an eye out for pieces that will round out our wardrobe and transition us into the next season! Here are some great grays to bear in mind:

LIKE PUTTY IN YOUR HANDS. . .

At Shipley & Halmos, former Trovata designers Sam Shipley and Jeff Halmos exhibited a pared-down aesthetic apparently inspired by Hitchcock’s Rear Window. I think Alfred would approve of this demure charcoal frock and opaque tights… Image at right via style.com.

Halston showed a delicious boot, bag and dress monochrome combo in various shades of gray. Runway photo at left courtesy style.com.

I am loving the smoky boot! Above, in the polyvore collage, I have pictured two options: a toeless patent Dolce & Gabbana bootie, at eluxury.com, and a heeled knee-high number from Bottega Veneta, for purchase at net-a-porter. A third, and utterly practical (not to mention gorgeous!) choice: this Loeffler Randall light grey Matilde flat wedge boot, pictured at right and available for purchase at shopbop.com.

Andrea Turchi showed a more fanciful amalgam of autumn grays, complete with patterned shirt and swingy boyfriend cardigan. Runway shot via Italian Vogue. A word to the wise, darlings: charcoal and other opaques are a lovely alternative to the black tight this fall. However, unless you are a supermodel, pale or heather grey leggings are a no-no (attention: Lindsay Lohan!)!! Soooo unflattering and 80s gym girl--in a bad, not a Fondabulous, way.

Celine also showed grays for fall, ranging from a soft, full putty-toned bubble-skirted dress to a cropped fitted collarless leather jacket. Runway photo at left from nymag.com.

Every gal should snap up a gray nail polish. CoutureCarrie predicts that cement laquer shades will outrank black and navy for fall. Try Rescue Beauty Lounge's Concrete Jungle soft dove grey shade asap!

Lastly, and of the utmost elegance and innovation: a chiffon-draped gown by Monique Lhuillier in black and gray ombré. The chiaroscuro is offset by a sparkly brooch a the delicately cinched waist. Hop in the cement mixer, dears!