Runway to Reality: S/S 2008 Nina Ricci

Photo Credit: Style.com

For Spring 2008, the Ricci girl was the perfect example of undone chic. Olivier Theyskens used skillful draping and combined contrasting textures to create beautiful yet nonchalant looks.

Runway Highlights

The ensembles ranged from very casual, I-just-threw-this-on outfits, to gorgeous gowns that looked slightly disheveled from a night of partying. Even the models' hair was done in tousled waves to suit the undone chic style. Although the fabrics and textures were diverse, the color palette was kept neutral (like in many other collections this season). Grays and metallics were complemented with warmer earth tones and some dusty blues. Accessories included long chains draped around the neck, skinny feather boas in neutral colors, and some pretty fabulous heels.

Reality Check

Take a cue from the Ricci style to master the "undone chic" look without looking frumpy:

• Pick clothes that are asymmetrical and draped in interesting ways, but avoid ones that are just loose and shapeless


• Mix up the textures: try pairing elegant materials, like chiffons, satins, and metallics, with rougher fabrics and knits


• "Undone" should still be fabulous, so don't skimp on the accessories, especially when it comes to the shoes (sky-high heels preferred, of course)

Beauty: Spring 2008 Bobbi Brown Pink Raspberry Collection

Bobbi Brown Pink Raspberry Collection

Bobbi Brown is celebrating Spring this year with a splash of Pink Raspberry! A couple years ago, most of my makeup used to be Bobbi Brown. Recently, I have ventured away, exploring the wide world of makeup out there... But Bobbi Brown has officially recaptured my attention with the Pink Raspberry collection.

The Pink Raspberry look is fresh and sweet: the eyes are kept simple while the lips and cheeks get highlighted with a fruity wash of color.

The face palette is really wonderful. It contains 1 pale pink blush, 2 raspberry colored lip sheers, and 2 basic eyeshadows. The blush looks lovely and natural, imparting that just-so flush of color (this coming from a girl who's very picky about her blush). As for the eyeshadows, the first is ivory, which is perfect for highlighting the browbone, and the second is a crisp medium gray that can be used to create a subtle smokey eye.

The collection includes a slew of other items. The brush set is to-die-for: the brushes are of impeccable quality (like all Bobbi Brown brushes) in a carrying case that is lined with a pop of raspberry pink. I'm also digging the new multi-tasking pot rouge colors, which can be applied to the lips and cheeks for a stain of color. The only item I'm not too crazy about is the glitter lip gloss, which is a bit too baby-pink (rather than raspberry) and cutesy for my taste...

Beauty: Spring 2008 Shu Uemura Rebirth Collection

Shu Uemura Rebirth Collection

Shu Uemura's Spring 2008 collection is full of freshness, brightness, and optimism.

The 5 eyeshadows shades are pastel, but with a certain vibrancy to them. Some of the colors, like "Yellow Elation", "Pristine Green", and "Spring Breeze" (lavender), may not work for everyone. But the "Sun Stream" (rose) and "Earth Brown" are universally flattering. All of these colors can be layered with other eyeshadows for a beautiful, multi-dimensional look.

The bronzers (not pictured) are also bright and glowing, with a flawless finish.

Out of the 3 lipshades, the one that struck my fancy is the bright pink one, called "Pink Bloom". The color is just bursting with flowery freshness.

It is at once ironic and appropriate that Shu Uemura's last collection is was called "Rebirth". Shu Uemura passed on recently at the age of 79. If rebirth truly does exist, we can only hope that his next life will be as full of creativity and success as this one was...