In Bloom

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Camilla and Marc Trousers ($390)

The last time I remember floral pants being this hype was in the early 90s, during that pre-Grunge 90210 era. Or maybe it was earlier, at the height of Molly Ringwald's career when she was in Pretty In Pink, which I roughly discovered around the same time as 90210. Anyhow, long story short, I'm all over the floral pant, whether it's in jean form, a trouser, or a roomy palazzo.

J Brand Floral Capri Skinny Jeans ($203)

Citizens of Humanity Mandy Floral Roll Up Jeans ($189)

Paige Denim Floral Ankle Jeans ($186)

Jeans can go either way: casual or dressy, although I'm partial to the black and white Citizens for their stark simplicity. 

Alice + Olivia Arthur Pants ($242)

A.L.C Briggs Board Pants ($495

Diane von Furstenberg Leaves Pants ($345)

If you've been browsing street style blogs from fashion month, you would have noticed that a hefty number of people were sporting silk floral trousers. It's a trend continuing for fall (see J.Crew F/W 2012), and hopefully forever. 

Elizabeth and James Floral Luxe Pajama Pants ($325)

Ellery Hazan Wide Leg Pants ($978)

Richard Chai Love Flare Floral Trousers ($448)

Love them or hate them, I think palazzos are a summer staple. The wider the better, and with a pair of very tall platforms. Floral pants = fancy pants.

Have you gotten a pair of floral pants yet?

Beauty Fridays: Neon Kiss

Anouck Lepere by Steven Pan (Interview Russia, March 2012)

A few years ago, I would have totally dismissed this colour for two reasons: 1) I would cringe at its 80s-ness; and 2) I would deem it "too cute" to wear. Now I think of the 80s neon era quite fondly for its audacity, and now that I'm older, looking "too cute" is kind of thing of the past. Neon pink has been on my lips since the day I decided to "think spring" and rebel against the scandalous March flurries. Finicky Canadian weather aside, I have two very bright, and very Canadian, lipsticks to rave about today.

Lippy Girl 'Sassy Ass' ($15.50 at eBeauty.ca)

I've been wearing this colour by Lippy Girl religiously since it arrived at my desk a couple of weeks ago. Its sheer hot pink shade makes it an easy transition into neonland. It's very moisturizing and feels very balmy, but the more you layer, the brighter it gets. This is the first product by Lippy Girl I've featured. It's a fairly new organic line from Whistler, BC and I look forward to trying more.

ILIA 'Neon Angel' ($24 at iliabeauty.com and these retailers)

New ILIA! Pardon the excitement, but I've been waiting for more products from ILIA since reviewing it last summer. The new lipstick line is rich, much different than the tinted lip conditioners, which were very sheer and delicate. Neon Angel is an intense, semi-matte formula with a shade that can be best described as electric. It's only been with me for a couple of days, but I'm already calling it my shade of the summer. 

Neon lips. Yes? 

Screen Style: Atonement (2007)

Keira Knightley has made a career in period dramas. She is far from typecast, with her roles ranging from Elizabeth Bennett in Pride and Prejudice (a favourite of mine) to Sabina Spielrein, the world's first female psychoanalyst in A Dangerous Method. I love that she never succumbed to cheesy romantic comedies like so many of her peers. Keira wears period costumes well. I loved her in The Duchess (see previous Screen Style post), and I'm sure I'll love her in Anna Karenina, which is not-so-coincidentally being directed by Joe Wright and costumed by Jacqueline Durran, the same duo responsible for Pride and Prejudice and today's subject, Atonement. 

Adapted from an Ian McEwan novel by the same name, Atonement is a tragic story for pretty much everyone involved. Honestly, it's one of the most depressing films I've ever seen. But it's also one of the most beautiful, partially for its outstanding costumes, particularly the ones worn by Keira Knightley's strong-willed Cecilia Tallis. 

The film begins in 1935, an opulent pre-war time when haute couture was its grandest (for the wealthy, anyway). Some of the design legends that excelled in that decade were Elsa Schiaparelli and Madeleine Vionnet, the latter of which was a direct inspiration for Cecilia's now-iconic green dress. For the equally stunning white swimsuit, Durran looked to photographs by Jacques-Henri Lartigue, depicting the 1930's French Riviera bathing beauties. There is such decadence in the back detailing, with the halter and the cutout, confirming Cecilia's sophisticated tastes. 

When it came to beauty, hair and makeup designer Ivana Primorac stuck to the shades and products of the era, looking to classic Chanel colours to give the seductive Cecelia a fresh, youthful look, avoiding mascara and eyeliner. She does, however, sport a sultry deep crimson lipstick and a matching half-moon manicure which was very much in vogue back then (also seen in the horrid, but stylish, W.E.)

The film's most dramatic style moment is the aforementioned Vionnet-inspired green dress, with its biased cut that the designer first popularized. Novelist Ian McEwan dedicated several pages to Cecilia choosing her dress for the important dinner, eventually deciding on what she thought made her reflection look like a "mermaid who rose to meet her in her own full-length mirror.” The emerald green colour was picked by director Joe Wright, who chose it for its lushness, symbolizing temptation in this picturesque British country setting. Of course, it needed to appear shocking in the eyes of Cecilia's nosy 13 year old sister Briony (Saoirse Ronan), who catches Cecilia and her lover Robbie (the dreamy James McAvoy) in midst of an intense sex session (sorry, I refuse to say "lovemaking") against the monumental library bookshelf. (No spoilers for those that haven't seen it, but I really hate that little girl.) 

Further reading:
"Atonement: Keira Knightley’s Green Dress" -- Clothes on Film

"Atonement" -- The Costumers' Guide

Road Tripping: Beachin' It

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I received free samples from Procter and Gamble in preparation of writing this piece. This post reflects my personal opinion and was not influenced by the sponsors.

Through most of the puppy stage of his life, my dog Bun has been deathly afraid of water. He wouldn’t go near the ocean or any lake, and would only put up with a shallow fountain that came up barely past his legs. This was dreadful in the summer heat: the poor guy would just suffer in his fur coat without being able to take a dip to cool down.

That all changed one day last year, when – for whatever reason – he took off into a lake to chase after some birds without thinking about it. With a few more visits, he took a further step into the water. By the end of the summer, he was chasing after me into the ocean, so long as there was the proper incentive (pretty much any stick will do).

Bun during our summer road trip to Penticton, BC

There’s no greater joy then seeing Bun swim on a hot summer day, but it’s true what they say: a wet dog carries a ‘unique’ smell, and that’s putting it gently. That mix of wetness and the smell of the beach is really only pleasant for a few minutes, after which I'm thankful for our Febreze Car Vent Clip. After a brief moment of cranking the air vents on max, the car’s smelling fresh as a daisy again, and all I can do is look forward to taking Bun out for a jaunt in the Great Pacific again. 

Dreaming of a road trip? ChickAdvisor has teamed up with Febreze for a fun contest – it’s your chance to win a $50 gas gift card plus a CAR Vent Clip from Febreze. 

*No purchase necessary. Limit of one entry per person. Open only to residents of Canada (excluding Quebec), must be age of majority. Contest closes April 29, 2012. Skill testing question required. Odds of winning depend on number of eligible entries received. Total approximate retail value of Febreze Car prize pack is $52.99 CDN. See full rules.

Shoe Wednesdays: Zara Python Sandal

Every time I walk into Zara, I find yet another shoe I want. This time it's this python sandal, featuring three coloured straps, including the vivid neon yellow buckle at the ankle. Yes, I know this is the second shoe with a neon yellow accent I've featured. I'm strangely excited about this set of eye-burning hues from my childhood. For non-neon lovers, they do come in a brown and black combo, but sans python.

$99.50 at Zara.  

Item of the Week: OBJECT for Danier Leather Skirt

There was a time when Danier wasn't considered a cool brand, but thanks to a slew of recent collaborations, that's all in the past now. Sure, Danier was always reliable for finding that simple leather jacket, but now it's truly become excitement-worthy. I can confidently say that I am coveting every single item from their OBJECT collection, designed by renowned Canadian stylist George Antonopoulos. 

This leather skirt tops my list for its vibrant fuchsia hue, and its classic a-line shape with two very slick slit pockets. Pretty, isn't it? As is the giant orange envelope clutch. 

$249 at Danier online and select stores. 

Beauty Fridays: Brow Perfection

Derek Lam S/S 2012

Continuing on from last week's epic eyebrow retrospective post, I wanted to talk about a couple of products that eased my brow growing pains. Nothing masks a mess like some brow gel and a little bit of filler.

Jane Iredale Bitty Brow Kit ($31 at Spa Boutique)

There are two kinds of brow filler: a powder and a pencil. I personally prefer the powder form since I lack the delicate touch required with a pencil. This Bitty Brow Kit by Jane Iredale proved itself to be super handy during the growth process, allowing me to comb and style the brow with the brush and the gel, followed by a light fill using its mineral colour. It's available in two shades: light and dark.

Benefit Instant Brow Pencil ($25 at Benefit)

Those with pencil talents might want to invest in this Benefit pencil, with a handy brush on the other end. This one comes in three shades, from very light to a rich brown. 

MAC Brow Set ($18 at MAC)

Some might prefer to simply use let the brows stay in their natural glory (as I do on most days), but some clear brow gel should keep all the hairs in place. A makeup artist used this MAC one on me the other day and I was really impressed by its lightness -- it didn't feel sticky at all. 

Finally, some of you have left comments describing your brow growing woes and the benefits of using hair growth accelerators. While I didn't need one, I love hearing about this stuff and it's super helpful information for everyone going through the growing ordeal. So if you have used a hair growth accelerator with success, please tell me about your experience -- I'll make sure to post it. You can comment below or email me. 

If I Were Rich I Would Buy... a Chanel Suit

While browsing through vintagecouture.com (honestly, it's the best place to procrastinate), I stumbled across a vintage cream Chanel Couture suit (once owned by Kitty D'Alessio) with black piping, the kind I've been dreaming of since... the dawn of man. A Chanel suit is pretty much the only style of dress that has gone unchanged for almost 100 years. The suit turns 100 next year, with its origin dating back to 1913 when Coco Chanel wore it for the first time. In her own words, it was "a fashion statement of the century." And it truly is. 

Coco in her cream suit 

It was constructed according to precise rules decided by Chanel. It was cut to allow ease of movement, its sleeves had to be fitted precisely at shoulder level, it had to have pockets and trim, the top and bottom had to be cut from the same fabric to avoid any colour variations, and each jacket was to have a chain sewn into the hem to allow the fabric to hang perfectly (it's all in the details). These rules are still closely followed by Karl Lagerfeld, who has always respected the original design. 

Kitty D'Alessio by Andy Warhol (1984)

This particular one is not only the dream suit, but it also happens to be from a couture collection, making it the suit. And it used to belong to Kitty D'Alessio. "Who?" you ask. Well, she was at one time the president of Chanel and a dear friend of Coco herself (and maybe even an inspiration for the character of Peggy on Mad Men, having been the most successful female advertising executive in the 1960s). She was responsible for bringing Karl Lagerfeld to the house, stealing him away from Chloe, only to be grossly betrayed by the designer for enlisting Inès de la Fressange, whom Lagerfeld had a falling out with, as the face of the label. As an explanation for her leave, Lagerfeld said, “The good news is that Kitty D’Alessio has been made ‘Director of Creative Projects.’ The bad news is that there are no Creative Projects.” Maybe she wore this suit when it happened? Think about that.

$4,500 at vintagecouture.com.

PS. I do have a cream "Chanel" jacket by Milly that will do in the meantime. 

Road Tripping: The Daily Hustle

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I received free samples from Procter and Gamble in preparation of writing this piece. This post reflects my personal opinion and was not influenced by the sponsors.

The day’s full of must-dos and other dreadful errands. There’s dry-cleaning to pick up, clothes to take for tailoring, and a million other things in between. It’s my turn to pick up dinner – a pizza from Farina does well in a fix – and the house is devoid of any coffee. It’s all hectic and chaotic, but thankfully my little Bun is there to keep me from going insane.

Having a dog, a pizza, a pound of espresso and that dry-cleaning scent really does a number on the car, and so I’ve got my Febreze Car Vent Clip turned up to full intensity. The food smells tend to linger for days, but this car freshener can go for up to 30 days (on low, under ambient conditions). I’m trying the Hawaiian Aloha scent for this month: there’s a lot to do from day-to-day, but there’s no reason why I can’t dream of a little vacation for when it’s all over.

Dreaming of a road trip? ChickAdvisor has teamed up with Febreze for a fun contest – it’s your chance to win a $50 gas gift card plus a CAR Vent Clip from Febreze. 

*No purchase necessary. Limit of one entry per person. Open only to residents of Canada (excluding Quebec), must be age of majority. Contest closes April 29, 2012. Skill testing question required. Odds of winning depend on number of eligible entries received. Total approximate retail value of Febreze Car prize pack is $52.99 CDN. See full rules.

Shoe Wednesdays: Alexander Wang 'Liya' Pump

Alexander Wang's shoes are just getting better and better. Last year's Anais came as a surprise to me, in all their elegant metallic glory. I disliked the over-worked and over-exposed Frejas so much that I wasn't prepared for such simplicity from the designer.

Then came Liya, some kind of achievement in minimalism (that seems to be my ongoing theme this week). The pointy pump is so refreshing (welcome back!) and its delicate shape is balanced out by the thick ankle strap. And the heel is lovely. 

$495 at Holt Renfrew. 

PS. Of course, there is the matter of that terrible lawsuit accusing Wang of running a sweatshop, but unless he is proven guilty, I'm not going to get into it.

Images courtesy of Alexander Wang and Holt Renfrew.

Toronto Fashion Week: Strict Geometries

Although I didn't attend Toronto Fashion Week this time around, I'm completely enamoured by quite a few collections, most of which I can't fit into one post. The focus here is on strict geometries, shapes and blocks created by construction and material mixing. Canada is looking very sharp.

Caitlin Power

This opening look by Caitlin Power is smart, skillfully tailored (at least it appears so in the photograph), and hits just that right mark between sportswear and formalwear. This young Calgarian is only 23 years old, and judging by several strong looks in this collection, she'll be on everyone's "one to watch" list in no time. 

RAD by Rad Hourani

The fact that Rad Hourani showed at Toronto Fashion Week is huge for the establishment. Here is an established Canadian designer deciding to debut his Fall collection at home (although I'm sure he did the showroom circuit in New York and Paris) -- if only they could all do the same, we'd be in good fashion books. As always, Hourani's tailoring is impeccable, dramatized by that signature totalitarian aesthetic of his. 

Mélissa Nepton

Montreal-based Mélissa Nepton returned to TFW for the second time, with some lovely streamlined looks of both the crisp and draped variety, and a lot of luxurious oversized knits. But it's this mixed material dress that really got me, with its smart use of leather panelling.

Ashtiani

Under any other circumstance, the silhouette of this dress would be too much, but maybe it's Golnaz Ashtiani's ability to balance out the geometry of the panels and the peplum-like hip detailing that makes it right. Some of the other sculpted looks did suffer from unnecessary busy-ness, but it's ambitious nonetheless. 

Chloe comme Parris

Things are getting pretty buzzy for Chloe comme Parris, the sister design duo still in their early 20s. These young prodigies have an undeniable knack for the somewhat Gothic, old world aesthetic, but instead of treating this as an excuse to design costumes, the sisters manage to integrate the look into the contemporary realm. Take this sweater, for example, with its resemblance to warrior armour, with a smart, darker texture constructing the diamond shape and forming a cutout collar at the neck.

This is Canadian fashion. Do you love it or what?

Photography by George Pimentel, courtesy of World MasterCard Fashion Week.

Item of the Week: Acne 'Stella' Bag

It's going to sound silly, but Acne brings me endless joy. The shoes are always amazing, the clothing is cut beautifully, and most of the stuff is, more or less, reasonably priced (except for this suede aviator jacket that I really, really want). As an extreme minimalist, I appreciate Acne's streamlined aesthetic, especially when they throw in an element of surprise. In this little shoulder bag's case, it's the chain-detailed strap. It's so tiny and subtle, adding just a wee bit of toughness to the otherwise soft and supple shape.

Yes, it's tiny. But in the summer I don't usually lug much more.

$390 at Net-a-Porter.

Beauty Fridays: The Brow Game

my decade of brows

Sometime in my late teens, I thought it was a good idea to pluck my eyebrows beyond recognition. I honestly can't remember why, but I kind of recall looking at photos of Kate Moss and admiring her pencil thin brows. Little did I know that it was going to be a giant pain in the ass (although my mom did warn me about it). If you look at the picture above, you are looking at the evolution of my eyebrows in the last decade or so. Kind of shocking, right? Yes, I went from the scary thin straight Vulcan (hello Spock!) brows (here is a full picture) (hey, at least they weren't porny looking!) to the full arches I have now. 

Hilary Rhoda (Harper's Bazaar, April 2009)

Last October, I decided to grow them out once and for all to their natural state, avoiding plucking at all costs. It was tough. I patiently waited as hairs grew unevenly, making one brow way thicker than the other. They don't all come out at once; hair growth is a super random occurrence. The worst was the hairs above the existing line of the brow: it looked like I was growing random facial hair. At the moment of weakness, I googled pictures of Hilary Rhoda, Arizona Muse, and 80s Cindy Crawford. "I have to stay strong," I told myself. A little brow gel and filler went a long way, masking the spots that were still emerging (more on that in a couple of weeks). 

Finally, last January, they began resembling something I sort of remembered from my childhood. Epiphany: I was born and blessed with Brooke Shields-like things. Sweet! I wanted to see how far I could grow them and purposely didn't deal with them before heading to New York, prompting one makeup artist to bluntly ask me, "What's the story with the brows?" Ouch! I guess it was finally time to groom. (But really, how rude was that?)

before grooming

after grooming

To do the honours, I contacted Alisha Noon at Beautymark, Vancouver's brow queen. I told her that "I want 80s supermodel brows," and explained my growing debacle. She told me she had gone through a similar ordeal, only her Kate Moss was Niki Taylor (oh the 90s!). First, she waxed those rouge hairs that were sort of blending into my hairline, then she took her tweezers and started plucking. Alisha purposely left the outlines kind of soft, avoiding that sharp Kim Kardashian effect. But we weren't done yet. Some of the hairs were almost half an inch long (I'm not kidding) and it took some scissor action to tame them down. Looking like a complete mess for four months totally paid off. The final result was everything I was hoping for: well-groomed brows without any hard edges that looked completely natural. Phew! Done. I've got good brow game now. 

Have you ever over-plucked and then tried to reverse the damage?  

To book your eyebrow consultation with Alisha Noon, call 604-218-6000 or email alisha_noon@yahoo.ca.

WIN: The Hunger Games Capitol Colours Collection by China Glaze

Top row: Luxe and Lush, Fast Track, Foie Gras, Dress Me Up, Mahogany Magic, Harvest Moon

Bottom row: Riveting, Electrify, Hook and Line, Agro, Smoke and Ashes, Stone Cold 

I usually don't read young adult novels (okay, just Harry Potter), but I just started reading The Hunger Games and I'm really (super crazy) into it. So, yes: I'm pretty excited about the film series. My love of nail polish is well documented here, and this China Glaze collection, inspired by the books, is right up my alley. The colours are earthy, but rich -- a nice alternative to the pastel colour trend of the moment. Guess what? You can win all of them, thanks to the lovely people behind Spa Boutique. 

Simply comment below and let me know which colour you like the best. Make sure you leave a way I can contact you (email, Twitter etc.).

Contest closes on Thursday, March 22 at 11:59PM PST. Open to Canadian and US residents only. Winner will be announced on Friday, March 23. 

PS. Congratulations to Lucille (@adorement)! Thank you all for entering. Hope you enjoy the film!

Screen Style: Party Girl (1995)

As much as I loved Clueless in my teen years, there was another fashion-obsessed, and similarly clueless, film heroine I adored. Party Girl's protagonist Mary (masterfully played by the amazing Parker Posey) is a sort of modern day (well, in 1995) Holly Golightly that glides from party to party -- and throws a few herself -- not ready to accept the grown-up world of actual responsibilities. In fact, her income is supplemented by throwing parties in her fabulous Chinatown loft and charging cover. When her lifestyle finally catches up to her, Mary takes a job at a New York Public Library under her naggy godmother's supervision. 

When I first watched this film, I was ten years younger that the protagonist, way over my brief grunge phase and in the midst of scamming my way into dance clubs (I didn't drink, I swear). Mary's wardrobe pretty much summed up everything that was right about that era, even if it seemed ridiculous at times. Back in the 90s, fashion was certainly taken way less seriously than now. Maybe it's the nostalgia talking, but when I look at that decade in particular, it seems so colourful and carefree. I think of Isaac Mizrahi and Anna Sui as being sort of New York fashion ambassadors of this time. 

Although her life may be a total mess, Mary's closet is impeccably organized with a newly expanded "velvet diva glam section" and carefully organized collection of jeans. (This rare and special skill eventually helps her master the Dewey Decimal System, much to her godmother's disbelief.) Mary's style is not effortless -- it's far from. She wears every single outfit like it's a costume, from the leopard print jacket and red short combo at the beginning of the film to the super studious black Chanel-esque  ensemble (with Chanel shoes) at the end. 

Much like Holly Golightly's in Breakfast at Tiffany's, each of Mary's outfits requires an incredible amount of thought on the part of the character. She chooses them based on the character in life she is supposed to play, going from a club kid to a sophisticated dinner party goer to a librarian to a seductress of the local falafel stand owner, each outfit empowering her for each occasion. 

Like Clueless, the fashion in this film is not timeless, not that it should be. I love when films become really dated or, as they say, don't stand the test of time. Then they become precious time capsules. In this case, it's of a generation that didn't grow up having taste dictated to them 24 hours a day like we do now, forced to figure things out on their own, from how to wear crazy Todd Oldham stuff to how to throw a wicked loft party. 

Party Girl is a story of a young woman's transition into adulthood. But no worries, it's not a touchy feely one. Mary is at once likeable and unlikable. Because even at her lowest moment, having fallen off the good girl track she utters witty things like, "I would like a nice, powerful, mind-altering substance. Preferably one that will make my unborn children grow gills." Watch it for its generational sincerity, the colourful fashion, and the ridiculously underrated Parker Posey.  

PS. Sorry about the blurry screen caps.

Road Tripping: Seattle Shopping Haul

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I received free samples from Procter and Gamble in preparation of writing this piece. This post reflects my personal opinion and was not influenced by the sponsors.

Though Vancouver’s got many fabulous shopping options, no year would be complete without a little jaunt across the border for a visit down to Seattle. There is, of course, the mecca known as Barneys, which calls out to me from miles away, not to mention Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom (and the treasure trove known as Nordstrom Off the Rack), and all the amazing independent boutiques, all offering an even wider array of options to make this girl’s heart go a-flutter (and I won’t even get into the lower-on-average US prices). Tack on a visit to Salumi, the Italian deli run by Mario Batali’s family, to buy an amazing sandwich and sausage, and it's my favourite weekend getaway, which, thanks to all the dog-friendly boutique hotels, includes my little dog Bun.

Bun in the front seat.

On the trip home, a mixture of food, Bun and a few hours together means our car doesn’t always smell as fresh as it could. This time around, we’ve got our Febreze Car Vent Clip attached to our air vent. Instead of picking up the scent from all that Beecher’s cheese we’re hustling, we’ve got the vehicle smelling like fresh Linen and Sky. It’s enough to make that hour-long border wait a pleasure…well, almost.

Are you ready for a road trip? ChickAdvisor is hosting a contest with Febreze right now, where you can enter to win a $50 gas gift card plus a CAR Vent Clip from Febreze. 

* No purchase necessary. Limit of one entry per person. Open only to residents of Canada (excluding Quebec), must be age of majority. Contest closes April 29, 2012. Skill testing question required. Odds of winning depend on number of eligible entries received. Total approximate retail value of Febreze Car prize pack is $52.99 CDN. See full rules.

Shoe Wednesdays: Madewell 'High Road' Sandal

Every spring I get some kind of a wooden platform. Although my dreams of owning these Proenza Schoulers are unlikely to come to life, last week I got those amazing Marni x H&M platforms (yes, it's true: I lined up at 4:00am). But since they were so easy on the wallet, there might be room for more. 

Wood -- especially in the lighter shade -- is one of those materials that exudes summer, particularly when it gets a little scratched and scuffed. These Madewell sandals are just the type of heel I look for: something tall with a generous platform to keep me elevated high off the ground. 

$158 at Madewell (also available in black, gold, and red).

Paris Fashion Week F/W 2012: Peplum Play

I suppose peplums are too obvious of a choice for a Parisian runway recap, but let me be obvious for a second since I haven't talked about them yet. I think most appreciate the frilly, girly element, but I actually like them when they appear to be a little on the aggressive side. 

Lanvin

The one by Lanvin is probably the softest one, but there is some toughness to it. It looks stern, like a tough, fast-talking 1940s black and white movie gal, only with the added softness of that soft teal fabric (cashmere?). You already know how much I love Alber Elbaz -- he is invincible at this moment.

Haider Ackermann

Haider Ackermann is a draping master, and his version of a peplum reminds me of a Japanese kimono with the multiple folds in the back. I love the combination of round shoulders, poofy sleeves, and the textured golden peplum. 

Dries Van Noten

I'm not sure if this ruffle qualifies as a peplum, since it doesn't appear to be seperately constructed, but the visual message is pretty much the same. It's impeccably tailored, and I think this may be the only peplum with little pockets.

Balenciaga

This futuristic, metallic peplum definitely does not fall in the girly territory. Although kind of spacey, the jacket and pants combo looks super professional -- it probably helps that the model is totting around that giant leather binder. 

Hakaan

Here is yet another peplum-like shape. I guess it's two separate, very rigid side peplums (I'm sure there is a name for them that's escaping me right now). This Hakaan dress sort of has that warrior quality to it. It's tough, but also somewhat sweet -- I would love to see it on the red carpet.  

Thoughts on peplums? Have you tried this silhouette yet?

Images courtesy of style.com