Un coup de foudre, that’s the French phrase for “love at first sight.” It’s a rare occasion when I find something I’d lie, cheat and steal to have, but an evening stroll in Tribeca led me into a girl wearing the leather studded booties pictured above. I contemplated kicking her knees and swiping the boots off her feet, but I decided a compliment  would be the less delinquent route. Introducing shoe designer Els Proost, her company, Elsa Shoes, easily ranked at the top of my latest obsessions.

Proost has quite the resume having designed shoes and accessories for Dries Van Noten, Emporio Armani, Maison Martin Margiela, Costume National, Hussein Chalayan, Angelo Figus and more, so there’s no doubt why they’re so damn gorgeous. Craftsmanship,comfort and a “fashionable amusing twist” reign among Proost’s design goals, and it’s safe to say she achieves them with every pair she constructs. Like the woman who married a rollerc0aster, maybe i’ll join the bandwagon and marry Elsa Shoes. Now that’s what I like to call a bright future!

If I had to summarize Ennio Capasa’s Costume National Spring 2010 collection in 3 words, they would be skimpy, shimmery and ghastly. To say that runway radiated death would most assuredly be a negative comment in Capasa’s book, but according to me, the pale sheen against raw skin has a sexy, yet eerie, vibe. With a subtler version of the biker-chic trend, I’m loving the mini leathers as well as the thin, chain jewelry.

**WARNING** If you have an intolerance for shallow observations or you recently modeled in Men’s Spring 2010 Fashion Week, don’t read this. 

The end of June and beginning of July are of importance to me for one reason: men’s fashion week. Yeah,the tailored suits and spring apparel are nice, but what  I really look forward to is the hours I spend cooing over drop dead gorgeous models. The chiseled jaw. The supple lips. The piercing eyes. I’m like a kid in a candy-store!

But these past two weeks have been less than enjoyable for my model addiction. Is it just me, or are designers and bookers seriously skimping on the man candy this season? What once was a Cole, Ash, Luke and Taylor dominated field is now pillaged with some of world’s less fortunate looking creatures. Is there some sort of repulsive man trend I’m missing the boat on here? 

Costume National

Bernhard Willhelm

Walter Van Beirendonck

Maison Martin Margiela

Blaak Homme

Proceed in clawing your eyes out. 

Images courtesy of NY Mag.

GALLERY: RUNWAY RUNDOWN: Costume National Spring 2010 Menswear

Thanks NY Mag!

GALLERY: RUNWAY RUNDOWN: Costume National Resort 2010

Thanks Style!

Costume National is one of those brands I wish I could afford, as they create some amazing looking products. Their latest Spring 2009 Footwear Collection is no different, as they have created some shoes that have caught the attention of even myself (a self proclaimed shoe freak). The blue hightops featured above are my favorite fromt he collection, but overlooking the calf skin sandals would be a huge mistake.

The new ads for CoSTUME NATIONAL’s Spring collection are pretty awesome. The artistic style of the image mixed with the amazing pieces from the Spring collection are clearly a recipe for success.

Gallery: ADDICT: CoSTUME NATIONAL Spring 2009

Courtesy of: The Fashionisto

As the Costume National show began, I started to get nervous as heavy, monotone gray outfits came down the runway, one right after the other. But then the brand I know and love broke through to the surface. Thigh-high boots, ultra lustrous mini dresses and completely asymmetrical tops and skirts made for quite the interesting fall 2009 show. My favorites are the one-armed black dress and the electric blue suit with matching belt. I’m super proud of all the designers this season because I’ve had to bite my tongue on several occasions; if you can design a suit for someone who hates suits and swears she’ll never wear them, you’ve done an awesome job in my book.

GALLERY: Costume National Fall 2009

LINKAGE: Style.com

Looking for a darker, edgier side in well tailored dress clothes? Costume National has it for you with their Fall 2009 collection. The brand has a great collection featuring well cut suits, black leather pieces, and some amazing boots. I’m a big fan of the belted jacket.

Gallery: RUNWAY RUNDOWN: Costume National Fall 2009 Collection

Courtesy of: Fashin Fags

Costume National’s resort 09 collection houses a unique variety of brilliant designs. The line uses a largely dominant color throughout each piece and then adds a hint of another color in a way that is intriguing; however, not overly invasive. Throughout the collection bright colors as well as more subtle colors are used to the clothings advantage. When light hits these designs they are luminous; it creates an entirely new vibe because of the type of fabric that is mended at the designers fingertips. Whether it’s a unique blend of color or quiet simplistic pieces they all bring something new to the table.

To view more of Costume National’s collection click here

Danilo Scarpati’s backstage photos of Costume National’s S/S 09 menswear collection: