Letter From The Editor | July 2009

Hello all you gorgeous people,

As the weather gets warmer, our hems raise as do our margarita glasses! It's been one of the busiest summers so far both personally and professionally. I've had the pleasure of meeting some of the hottest new designers as well as viewing many of the latest collections and I am aching to share them with you. I have been taking a long deserved break from writing. To be honest although I was technically on hiatus my brain was filled with new ideas, products, collections and designers to feature on Haute Mimi.

American Fashion Book by Assouline via Vivre

As the fourth of July approaches, I'd like to acknowedge the melting pot of designers that make up American fashion. From Naeem Khan to Carolina Herrera each designer brings their own personal style and vision to the streets of Fifth Avenue down to Rodeo Drive.

And at last, I've finally put together my FW09 notes and July's features include the Crème de la crème of the fashion, beauty and lifestyle industries. I hope you enjoy every story we feature on Haute Mimi and I encourage you all to share your thoughts via comments, twitter (www.twitter.com/hautemimi) or email.


Ciao,

Millissa Mathai
Editor In Chief

Email me your thoughts, ideas, views and collections to Millissa@HauteMimi.com

Summer Style | Haute Bikinis

Via Vivre

A New Generation In Eyewear | Zanzan Eyewear

Aviators, bug-eyed, and colorful- every season we've seen different kinds of sunglasses in different forms coming in many different ways. Welcome to a new generation of sunglasses ready to rock our worlds: Zanzan Eyewear.

With designers inspired from the 60s and early 70s time period mixed in European fashion and chic style, Zanzan eyewear offers limited fashionable sunglasses made in different styles. Fitted with Sola lenses by Carl Zeiss Vision and made with the highest quality, Zanzan eyewear has recently debuted its new collection for spring/summer 2009 with four amazing designs.

Rubirosa offers a unique Latin American-type style from the 1940s and 50s and adds a touch of South America to Hollywood glam.

Black Rio gives a fierce contrast to any outfit that you're wearing, making it even bolder.

Zazou revives its name from "the swinging kids in war-torn Paris who put the chic into greaseball." With a classic look that instantly brings back history, this style will be sure to be in high demand.

Just like all the other three styles, Le Sept is brought forth from a nightspot in Paris in the early 70s and still brings that same fashion sense forward each time you look at them- think of bright, audacious, and beautiful.

For a fabulous, high quality pair of sunglasses sure to make a statement, look no further than Zanzan Eyewear. You can order it online at Farfetch.

On Our Radar | Jerome C Rousseau Shoes

I Had the pleasure of meeting Jerome C Rousseau and viewing his footwear collection a few months back and I have been infatuated by his designs ever since. Rousseau's shoes exude charm, feminitiy and confidence, all the qualities a woman should possess. The structure and quality of the shoes are immaculate and most of all, original. View the entire collection here.

What to Wear Now Spring Summer 2009

Top choice is Balmain Military Style Jacket. Shown here in white. This has been the UK's top seller and is more or less sold out. Wear Black or white jeans and a striped or silk top, this is how to make the boyfriend jacket wearable.

In Black here,-combine with skinny jeans and a orange red cami, add high shoes- looks amazing.

Vivian Westwood Gold Label makes superb tops and dresses. Combine this with a simple navy or black pencil skirt for a stop the traffic look.

Pucci dresses are elegant, fun, infinitely wearable and will fold away to nothing in a suitcase. Buy this and be a stunner on the C`ote D`Azure.

For effortless, affordable elegance Donna Karan.

Florals are Back | Kate Moss for Topshop

Spring has truly arrived in London and as usual the sandals, summer dresses and tans are coming out. Topshop's new arrivals have got me in a craze for florals, my current picks?

The Kate Moss collection's floral prints, perfect for a weekend jaunt in Brighton or a shopping spree in West End. It's official florals are in again. We love this vintage rose one via TopShop.

What's Haute| Bright Escape Printed Tote By Matthew Williamson

Pair this splash of color with an all white ensamble. Tote, Matthew Williamson, $900 USD Via Net-A-Porter.

Spring Style Tips From Ann Taylor LOFT

Resort Ready With Shop Moderne Boutique

Get away in style with Shop Moderne Boutique. They have an amazing selection of dresses and tops perfect for your tropical hideout. Shop Moderne carries one of my favorite lines, Sky which offers sexy and comfortable styles with a lot of style. Sky dresses are popular among the Palm Beach fashionistas and are perfect for nights out on the town in a hot city. Shop Moderne also carries all-year essentials like Ed Hardy tees and Harajuku Lovers sweat suits. Take a look at the entire selection at Shop Moderne here.

P.S. Shop Moderne owner, the fabulous Janet H is giving our readers a special 20% discount on all purchases just use the code "LOVEHM20" Not for use with sale items. There's also a free gift added to your order. Click here to start shopping. Enjoy. (Image Courtesy of Palm Beach Post)

Spring 2009 Trends

The new silhouette this season starts from the shoulders, the hugely prominent big shoulders provide a revival to the 80's. For SS 09 shoulders are going to be authoritative, tailored and self-confident.
Also big in 09 are tropical colours, wonderful pistachio, lime, papaya, lemon, kingfisher blue, also lots of nudes as well, neutral is everywhere. These particularly suit fair and redheaded people. Prints abound, wonderful parrot prints from Peter Pilotto, big polka dots. Look too for ruffles and bows and softer gothic lace to create a more feminine feel.
The look is unmistakeable and is seen in up-to- date women business suits, also carried over into blouses, little squared dresses, jackets, and even the humble t- shirt has built-in shoulder pads. Jeans are ripped or embroidered.
For a cheap, chic update, slide a pair of detachable shoulder pads into a cardi or coat. Combine the boxy jacket with new peg trousers, cigarette pants or capri pants. Short suits featuring sexy hot pants combined with a jacket, are another tribute to the 80’s.Jumpsuits are figure hugging in slinky jersey, bright colours, and leopard prints.

And if you’re going for it, remember that this look needs 100 per cent commitment. Finally to make this look really work, you should add retro accessories or better still rolled up sleeves for a genuinely 80’s feel! Look for scarf type belts, bug glasses and huge chunky and chandelier earrings.
Dresses have shoulder pads, many have embroidery and embellishments, look for simple shifts in bright tropical colours. Skirts are pencil or tulip shaped to complement large double breasted blazers. -Gabrielle Teare

Trend Alert: Pink

What's the hottest color of Spring 2009? Pink. Stock up now. Thank me later.

Men's Fashion: Howe SS09

These are a selection of my favourite looks from the Spring '09 look book from Hause of Howe. It seems that no review of collections in the current climate can avoid the financial factor and these are no different. Luckily however these pieces stand the test, classic designs with a slight creative and contemporary twist.

I was particularly intrigued by the blazer in the last image, which actually has an interestingly placed zip. Once zipped, with the collar turned up, the blazer wonderfully transforms into a simple casual jacket. What attracts me is that this versatility used for the detailing, no doubt, makes the pieces a clever investment. This creativity in design is indeed one of the strongest features of the collection. Equally, aside from the functional detailing, the collection also features subtle aesthetic detailing. The white shirt of the first look for example, with its light digital printing, shows a creative element that gives a refreshing addition to any outfit. I also enjoyed the casual jacket with shoulder epaulettes, which provides a wonderfully rugged feel, and would work well thrown over a plaid shirt and woven tie.

One of the pleasures of a wonderful outfit is the ability to take in a new and exciting detail every time one looks upon it. Indeed, this is something that the Howe collection tackles easily. Clothing that is well constructed and will stand the test of time, and are also of an elegant timeless design, are what one should be investing in this season. The Howe collection provides this, whilst also adding innovative detailing. However, with the artisan inspiration of the collection as a whole feeling natural, I still could not shake the feeling that it did seem somewhat restrained. Whilst I enjoy the collection, I wish there was an extra element of creativity, in the form of a few more innovative garments. - D.K.