Diane the Divine!!!

Diane the Divine!!! by divadebbi featuring OKA

Diane Von Furstenberg geo print dress, $300 / Jerome C. Rousseau stiletto heel shoes / Diane Von Furstenberg real leather bag, $735 / Cartier 18 karat gold jewelry / MICHAEL Michael Kors chain link jewelry / Fig Yarrow facial mud mask / OKA floral decor, $18

Wear Now...Wear Later...

Wear Now...Wear Later... by divadebbi featuring blooming plants

Diane Von Furstenberg gray dress / Narciso Rodriguez colorblock jacket / Vince black coat / Sergio Rossi high heel ankle boots / Zara heel pump / Miu Miu genuine leather purse / Stella mccartney purse / Hermès enamel jewelry / Burberry bracelet jewelry / Rebecca Minkoff rhodium jewelry / MARC BY MARC JACOBS water resistant watch / Lancôme eye shadow brush / Tom ford lipstick / Shiny lip gloss / Givenchy flower perfume / INC International Concepts floral home decor / Crate and Barrel blooming plant / Pier 1 Imports branch centerpiece / Pier 1 Imports blooming plant

Xmas Eve

Xmas Eve by divadebbi featuring floral decor

Marc Jacobs peter pan collar top, $2,385 / Michael Kors coat / Oscar de la Renta tan skirt, $740 / Diane Von Furstenberg open toe lace up booties / Salvatore Ferragamo taupe handbag / Burberry heart shaped jewelry / Burberry eyeshadow / Sia floral decor, $8.20 / Pier 1 Imports orchid arrangement / Color Wow Root Cover Up - Blonde, 3.1g

New York, New York

New York, New York by divadebbi featuring proenza schouler

Gucci open back halter top / Proenza Schouler / Versace gold high heel sandals / Diane Von Furstenberg

Thandie

Thandie by divadebbi 

I love Thandie Newton. She is a terrific actress, stunningly beautiful and as an effortless sense of style.  As such, she always looks comfortable in her own skin on the Red Carpet and she rarely blows it...

Yes, this is an understated look, but there is no denying she looks flawless and the fuchsia lip adds just a little bit of punch.

Love it...

xox,
DD

Wild Things

Wild Things by divadebbi 

This set features a stunning Lanvin top.  I am so excited that we now carry this beautiful collection at Richards/Mitchells.  Reknown designer, Alber Elbaz loves to use feminine fabrics that drape like silk charmeuse.
His clothes are often quiet on the hangar, but oh-so elegant on.

xox,
DD

Pretty for Pretty

Pretty for Pretty by divadebbi 

My wonderful friend Rosita Ruseva is one of the most successful members on Polyvore .  Her gorgeous, stylish, fashion forward sets have earned her a legion of loyal followers, me included.

Rosita also has a stunning website, Polyvore Fashion, with spectacular images like the one above, which inspired me to create a set in homage.

Anyone who loves fashion, will enjoy perusing it.  You know I do...

xox,

DD

Happy Birthday Wishes

Happy Birthday Wishes by divadebbi featuring colorblock handbags

Get the Look: Miranda Kerr

Get the Look: Miranda Kerr by divadebbi featuring isabel marant

Take the diamonds, leave the macarons...

Take the diamonds, leave the macarons... by divadebbi featuring donna karan

DVF Spring 2013- Runway to Realway Contest

DVF Spring 2013- Runway to Realway Contest by divadebbi featuring nars cosmetics

Yesterday I attended the DVF show at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week.  It was a triumph of updated 70's chic.  I particularly loved the vibe of the outfit above.

Polyvore asked us to create sets based on images that we saw on the runway and how we would wear them.  I thought this ensemble would look perfect, dining with friends in Capri, with lots of good champagne....

xox,
DD

DivaDebbi's Most Wanted Fall Accessories

DivaDebbi's Most Wanted Fall Accessories by divadebbi 

I am having a love affair with this Fall's accessories...

I have built a wardrobe based on classic styles that suit my figure over the years. My closet is fairly bulging with sheath dresses and pencil skirts from Giorgio Armani, Brioni, Valentino, Diane Von Furstenberg, Helmut Lang, Dolce and Gabanna, Malene Birger, Lela Rose, Michael Kors, Luciano Barbera, Alberta Ferretti, Tory Burch, Vince and Zara, (to name a few!).

It occurred to me, that I could be perfectly happy buying nothing but accessories this Fall, but don't quote me!

The Polvore set I created above gives you a flavor of what I'm craving.  Check back this weekend for my complete update of Accessories Trends for  Fall 2012.

I think you will be coveting them too...

xox,
DD

Tricks Up My Sleeve: What to Wear to a Daytime Summer Wedding

As a style contributor to the website Women's Voices For Change, I was asked to write a piece on a fashion conumdrum that women currently face; where oh where are they hiding the dresses with sleeves??? Here is my take:

As we thought about occasions to address for Fashion Friday in June, the concept of weddings arose, of course. When you’re invited as a guest, what is appropriate yet fashionable attire? In a lecture last week, Iris Apfel mentioned how difficult it is to find dresses with sleeves when you’re shopping for such events. So we have made it our mission to find some suggestions. Our frequent contributor Debbi O’Shea explains her selections for the fun Polyvore set she created for daytime nuptials.—Ed.

June remains one of the most popular months for brides and grooms to tie the knot. If you will be a lucky guest attending a daytime wedding, figuring out what to wear always requires some thought. And if you are at the point where a sleeveless dress will be highlighting a lesser asset, you may require strategic planning. Designers, it seems, will always have a special affinity for bare arms.
Finding a dress that is not overly embellished for day, with a sleeve, can be particularly daunting.

In Iris Apfel’s talk, the 90-year-old style icon and maverick commented that if she had more time, she would open a store called, “Sleeves!” The audience roared with appreciation; probably no one would be surprised if it was a great success.

When a trip to your favorite store becomes an exercise in frustration, looking online may be your easiest solution. While Polyvore is often thought of as the creative equivalent of X-Box for a fashionista like me who enjoys styling fantasy sets of clothing, it is also a terrific source; all the clothing items actually have live links for purchase.

Suits are always an option, but dresses just seem more festive, particularly if there will be dancing. The beauty of these is that they are timeless, and, with dressier accessories, could easily be notched up for evening occasions. A bit of work to find, but well worth it. Who said only the bride and groom deserve congratulations?



These dresses are meant to be a guide, but if you find yourself particularly enchanted, they can be found: the versatile cream silk crepe Valentino (on sale), the colorful yet classic Pucci, and the on-trend, affordable lace Diane von Furstenberg.

Debbi O'Shea has spent her career in fashion and is currently the "By Appointment" consultant and Brand Ambassador for Giorgio Armani Black Label at Richards in Greenwich, CT.  O'Shea also writes the Beauty and Fashion Blog DivaDebbi.

DVF: Beginnings - Spring 2012

"The light appears and everything changes"
Diane von Furstenberg and Yvan Mispeleaere

DVF, the Empress of fashion always shows on the Sunday of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, and always at 4:00 P.M...give or take. 

If a runway show could be considered a party, this would be it.
DVF and her husband Barry Diller have a long reach, so you can always expect to see captains of industry, sitting side by side with Celebs and the biggest names in Fashion.  It's a hoot and I am not nearly jaded enough to ever be bored...next time I'm packing opera glasses...

Falling in Love: Fall Trends at Richards 2011

Giorgio Armani Milan Runway Fall 2011

How can it be? Poof! Summer is nearly gone...What can I say to cheer me you up???  Well, for starters, Fall is looking mighty luscious!!!  As the new collections pour into Richards, the prevalence of certain trends becomes obvious.  It's always interesting to see which collective fabrics and colors seep into the consciousness of the design community and how cohesive the results are. Great like minds do think alike.

Here are some of the trends you can look forward to seeing at Mitchells Stores:

Spring Ahead

I realized as I was busy making plans with my friend Linda Levy to attend the Fall 2011 Fashion Shows at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, that I best do a Spring 2011 Trend Report before I start reporting on Fall! 

I scoured the collections to find an iconic look that represented multiple trends in just one look. The spectacular Pucci gown above incorporates 4 major trends that were found all over the Spring runways: Brilliant Color, (which we have already seen all over the Red Carpet),  Seventies Influences, an abundance of Prints and generous use of Sheer, floaty fabrics.  As we slog our way through yet another winter storm, reviewing all these divine pictures today renewed my hopes that one day, very soon,  the sun will shine, our lawns will be green and our boot clad toes, will once again, be exposed.