Animal Luxury: Discoveries of Fur, Horn, Leather, and Feather

Animal Luxury by creatureofdesign featuring travel handbags

Wearing a wool sweater or carrying around a leather bag can become so routine that we forget we are in tactile contact with an animal element. The above items reverse that by bringing the organic creature to the forefront in such a way that is impossible to ignore. Counter-clockwise from top left:

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Ruma horn bangle by Kora - Made in Kenya from recycled Ankole cow horn, these bracelets glow with an inner luminosity. The brass and leather fittings make these bangles earthy enough to wear in wintertime, preferably with an oversized cream-colored sweater that has the slouchy sleeves pushed up.

Wool "mathematics hat" by Dries Van Noten - The frayed fleecy yarns give this structured hat such an eye-catching fluffy look that you are instantly reminded you are wearing wool (alpaca/merino blend). Tone this hat down by putting on a minimalist collarless black wool long coat.

Porcupine quill bib by K/LLER COLLECTION - This necklace made from brass quills and actual porcupine quills is rugged drama. Wear it under a leather biker jacket.

Stingray cufflinks by Collette Ishiyama - I didn't know I needed cufflinks until I saw this bronze and textured stingray leather version. I would clip them onto my chambray buttondown and push the sleeves slightly up my forearms; or I'd just stick them onto the collar.

Large black haircalf portfolio by Hare+Hart - The bold strip of black haircalf instantly elevates this leather portfolio into the style stratosphere.

Victorian feather mink fur button bootie by Fendi - A prim silhouette with outrageous embellishment, this bootie manages to hit on the leather, fur, and feather fronts simultaneously. Style it with slim dark jeans and an ivory turtleneck sweater.

Chieko deer clutch by Proenza Schouler - If you're feeling particularly daring, pair this brilliantly patterned deer fur clutch with the Fendi booties.

Flux fur jacket by Helmut Lang - Colored fur trim can be obnoxious sometimes, like yelling, "Look at me! I'm wearing fur!" Black fur on black leather, conversely, draws the eye and the hand to textures.

Baseball sweater with mink by Reed Krakoff - Another tone-on-tone design with fur. This sweater is lusciously slouchy, and the mink sleeves are just playful enough for a lazy weekend in the city.

And finally, in the center, goat fur "frozen scarf" by Ann Demeulemeester - Although made of goat fur, this scarf is so airy it looks as if it could have been woven from feathers. The gray and brown hues evoke winter perfectly.

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Which is your favorite? Do you have any "wild kingdom" additions to this collection? Is anyone going to sic PETA on me? I was a vegetarian for six years. Go figure.

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Design Gem: Alaia Gray Suede Platform Ankle Boots

Ooh, what a lovely tall drink of milk.

These Alaia suede platform ankle boots are especially perfect in profile.

And they add a whole 6.5 inches to your height.

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White Pleats and Demure PVC

I apologize for my nearly month-long absence. The best I can do is call it an impromptu sabbatical. I am still in the process of trying to define my blog, my voice, my focus. In the meantime, though, there's no reason for me not to continue posting about whatever delights me. Thank you for staying with me, everyone.

As a high school teacher, I always love the first day back to school for its fresh sartorial start. Here's what I wore for the occasion:

The skirt is that billowy, perfectly pleated Jil Sander creation that popped up in every color on SS12 runways. The shoes are Oscar de la Renta's marvelous leather-trimmed PVC sandals.

Topped off with a J. Crew shirt in French blue, this outfit walks the line between office desk and tea party.

Does this outfit delight you too?

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Shoe Porn: Givenchy Vittorias Heel in Gold Glitter

Totally unnecessary? Yes. Who on earth needs biker heels coated in sparkly gold glitter? Yet, that did not stop me from falling in love with these Givenchy Vittorias glitter heels with suede trim the moment I saw them.

Apparently I am not the only one who covets impractical chunky-and-glittery footwear, since the shoe promptly sold out in most places. Then a couple of weeks ago, a sample pair in 38.5 popped up for half off on Forward by Elyse Walker. The trouble? They were final sale and I usually wear 39 or 39.5.

Ought I to bite the bullet? After all, they're so glittery.

   
I went on the Internet seeking answers, and found these photos of Poppy Delevigne sporting the heels.

Oh, dear. I bit the bullet. This story has a happy ending: the shoes fit! Now I have filled that glitter-shaped hole in my shoe wardrobe.

Poppy showed me that the best way to wear such bold and glittery heels is with denim. I would wear mine with dark cigarette ankle jeans and a pale chambray blouse, tucked in.

Is there a pair of glittery shoes in your wardrobe? If so, how do you like to wear them? If not, would you go out now and get a pair?

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Coveting Charlotte Olympia Polly Leopard-Print Calf Hair Pumps

These bridal shoes by Charlotte Olympia just might be the only leopard pumps I would ever need.

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Yellow Folds (Yes, That Proenza Schouler Skirt)

It is always a special day when I bring this Proenza Schouler skirt out. The folding is so inventive, and every angle reveals a different look.

Skirt: Proenza Schouler. Shirt and belt: J. Crew. Sandals: Anthropologie.

Normally I like to drown my outfits in commentary, but in this case words would add nothing. I'll just let the pictures speak for themselves.

The skirt is a thick yet light wool, and the fit is slouchy. These photos mute the color somewhat; in reality it's a bright pale mustard yellow. Running along the edges are thick seams, and the slit goes all the way up to mid-thigh.

 

I love to wear this skirt with patterned heels and chunky wedges, but today I went with my favorite leather sandals from Anthropologie. Gladiator-style with an unique pointed toe and a wooden sole, they attach in the front via a latch-and-button system. The footbed is contoured to fit your curves, so that I can tramp around in them all day. In fact, I've been tramping around in these things for five years.

Today was a typical April day, not quite warm and not quite cool (or simultaneously warm and cool). This outfit is perfectly balanced for such a day.

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Modern Dickens

My best outfits usually come to me all at once, in a gestalt. With this one, I can't say which came first: the booties, the shirt, the skirt, or even the belt. All the elements just work together, and showcase perfectly my love of textures, muted colors, and a sartorial sense of humor.

Everything: J. Crew.

My faithful and overworked webcam cannot convey the highlight that pulls the outfit together and elevates it into Dickensian realms. For that, I had to resort to a close-up with my iPhone.

Olive green canvas, black leather, crepe soles, and Victorian-style lacing . . . These booties by J. Crew are an unexpected delight. I paired them with dark brown tights. Since I had on a simple black pencil skirt, I added texture with a selvedge chambray shirt and popped a dash of color via a butterscotch-tan patent leather belt. (That's Rescue Beauty Lounge No More War on my nails.)

For whatever reason, I'm drawn to creating outfits that are a pastiche of at least a couple of eras and finished with a modern twist. This one is absolutely no exception. It's just on the right side of over the top themed, and I was able to wear it to work -- and garner compliments.

This last shot in the full-length mirror may give a better idea of how the booties work with the clothes.

A jolly good effort on my part, don't you think?

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Nicholas Kirkwood Roses & Bottega Veneta Splatter

The winter sale season is winding down, and with that hopefully the shoe-induced damage to my wallet. I picked up two pairs from Neiman Marcus this week.

First up, the Nicholas Kirkwood floral-print satin pump.

The print is lovely, and I can see myself wearing these to holiday parties with either cocktail dresses or dark cigarette jeans. What cinched the deal for me was the description of the low-cut vamp as leg-lengthening; this shot of Kirsten Dunst certainly is convincing.

And then I have long admired this Bottega Veneta printed silk T-strap pump ever since seeing it in a beautiful ad spread. Tonight, it popped back in my size range.

The chaotic, exuberant Jackson Pollock print is reined in by the delicate ladylike straps. Asymmetrically arranged colored jewels on the front add to the shoe's louche charm.

Now if only I could afford that dress.

Beautiful shoes are on their way to me in the mail. As always, a prayer to the shoe gods: may they fit.

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All In an Hour's Work

You know what's a rush? Scoring at a steep discount the very last unit of each of the beauties below, and all in under one hour:

Mixed media fringe bib necklace by DANNIJO from Net-a-Porter.

Suede ankle boots by Ann Demeulemeester from Saks.

And the piece de resistance:

Lasercut satin and leather booties by Nicholas Kirkwood from Barneys.

Between this and Black Friday, I foresee many Shoe Porn posts in the near future.

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Black Friday Debriefing

Two or three decades from now, Black Friday is going to be enshrined as a federal holiday and recorded on calendars. Like any good American consumer, I celebrated yesterday by shopping incredible deals. My purchases were limited to online, however: why put up with lines and shoving people?

From Shopbop's BIGEVENT discount, I picked up several major pieces that I've had my eye on for a while:

Proquo Felora Pants by Theyskens' Theory - High-waisted, wide-leg pleated tweed pants in dark green.

A Line Maxi Skirt by L.A.M.B. - Long wool twill skirt in camel.

Theodora Necklace by DANNIJO - Brass curb-chain necklace made with beads and natural stones.

Hollei Pendant Necklace by DANNIJO - Brass snake-chain necklace with Swarovski crystals and a pendant locket.

I've also been patiently counting down the days to Net-a-Porter's annual massive designer sale. As soon as it rolled online yesterday, I jumped on the site and scooped up two fabulous pairs of shoes:

Studded calf hair kitten-heel sandals by Valentino. For a long time I've wanted to acquire a pair in this popular style, and the calf hair pattern is a gorgeous textural contrast to the taupe leather straps and brass studs. I can't wait to wear these with dark ankle jeans.

Then I also got cutout suede and leather sandals by Burak Uyan. I've already featured this new shoe designer, and I'm excited to add a second pair to my collection.

In addition to the distinctive design, what appealed to me was how they look on the model. There's something about the ankle area that I'm just crazy about.

Shoe Porn posts coming! Both styles have sold out entirely already, so I'm glad I struck while the iron was hot. Shoes sell out fast in Net-a-Porter's sales. So do bags, and I had to leave behind this striped python and velvet wallet by Bottega Veneta.

I would've loved to carry it around as a clutch, but I had to make choices. I do still have my eye on the Lislia oxidized multi-strand brass necklace by DANNIJO.

For this Black Friday, I went big. Finally, and this does not qualify as a Black Friday deal, but I just found out about it yesterday and had to immediately order it.

Deborah Lippmann Edge of Glory 3D Holographic Nail Lacquer, made for Gaga's Workshop. Aaah!

Available exclusively at Barneys, this kit creates an absolutely phenomenal look. Valentine Kisses has a whole series of amazing swatches. On the nails, the polish appears black with flecks of intense blue, amber, and green: it evokes the stained glass I have seen in European cathedrals. I ordered the complimentary gift wrap, and actually am thinking about simply waiting until Christmas to open it.

Goodness. Now I need a shopping detox. The Antiquite Poupee Kaleidoscope Eye Kit by Dustin for Le Metier de Beaute is also on its way in the mail. Too damn many boxes.

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