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by The Backseat Stylers | January 16th, 2012 
Rooney Mara in Nina Ricci Pre-Fall 2012
Awards season is officially underway, as the 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards took over the television airwaves and Twitterverse last night. I dutifully watched every minute of pre-show red carpet coverage just so I could bring you this here post. And though I’d like to say that it was incredibly hard work on my part and that it was very tough to narrow the list down to only a handful of looks, the truth is that these 5 actresses and their stunning gowns were standouts that made my job easy.
Rooney Mara was one of the most highly anticipated red carpet arrivals of the evening, and she certainly didn’t disappoint in a chic black Nina Ricci dress. The always flawless Julianne Moore also chose a black gown, by Chanel Haute Couture no less. Her green tassel earrings by Fred Leighton complemented her scarlet hair perfectly.
That wasn’t the only burst of colour. Charlize Theron looked pretty in Dior pink, Emma Stone wore custom eggplant Lanvin, and Tilda Swinton marched to the beat of her own sartorial drum in sky blue Haider Ackermann. Each actress brought her very own brand of glam to the Golden Globes, making for one very fabulous red carpet.
Charlize Theron in Dior Haute Couture
Emma Stone in custom Lanvin
Tilda Swinton in Haider Ackermann
Julianne Moore in Chanel Haute Couture Fall 2011
xx, S
Images via Just Jared, Styleite
by The Backseat Stylers | January 6th, 2012 
There’s something about a white coat that gets me every time. This particular one that Christine Centenera, Fashion Editor of Harper’s Bazaar Australia, wore during London Fashion Week Spring 2012 is just plain gorgeous. The fact that it’s a look from Burberry Prorsum‘s Fall 2011 collection comes as no surprise; Christopher Bailey‘s outerwear designs never fail to impress me.
But a coat’s still just a coat without a proper styling job. Centenera’s pairing of this soft, ladylike piece with fierce platform sandals by Alexander McQueen on her first outing, and with a printed Givenchy dress and blue McQueen boots on a second outing, are utter perfection.
I too have a white Burberry wool coat that sadly doesn’t get nearly as much play as it should. I’m thinking I’ll have to take it out for a spin this weekend, though, unlike Centenera, I’ll be wearing pants. The temperatures here in Toronto have been below freezing and I have an embarrassingly low threshold for pain.
xx, S
Image Credits: Stockholm Streetstyle, Harper’s Bazaar Australia, Style.com
by The Backseat Stylers | December 9th, 2011 
I’ve been lamenting the Glee cast’s desperate need for stylists ever since they started hitting red carpets, and it seems my wish may have been granted. That, or they’ve finally grown out of the cheesy prom-ready dresses they’ve been assaulting awards shows with over the last two years.
Stars Lea Michele and Dianna Agron each stepped out this week looking more chic than I’ve ever seen them, the former in a black and gold lace number from Pucci‘s Resort 2012 collection and the latter in that Mary Katrantzou Fall 2011 dress. They’re not all the way there yet, but Lea’s jazz hands and Dianna’s poor shoe choice aside, it looks like the Glee kids are growing up sartorially, right before our eyes.
What do you think of their latest looks – do they deserve gold stars?
 
xx, S
Images via justjared
by The Backseat Stylers | November 6th, 2011 
It’s that time of year again, when the temperatures drop, the time falls back, and outerwear addicts like me start to get that itch to buy a new coat. Given the shameful fact that I’ve managed to build up quite the jacket collection over the last few years, any potential new additions I’m tempted by are hard to justify, even by a shopaholic like me. Even so, every year, without fail, a coat will steal my heart and refuse to give it back until I bring it home. This Fall, it’s this adjustable wool-blend coat by McQ.
With detachable tail and sleeves, this inventive piece can be worn 4 different ways: as a modern take on Willy Wonka’s coat of choice, as a cropped jacket or long vest over a tuxedo-inspired ensemble, or as a smart-looking vest for the office. This 4-in-1 coat may not be a bargain at $780, but it’s definitely on my wish list come sale season, which is right around the corner. It shall be mine!
Available on Net-a-porter for $780 and at The White Space at The Bay for $860.
xx, S
Image Credits: Net-a-porter
by The Backseat Stylers | October 27th, 2011 
The Stuart Weitzman ’Guything’ loafer has the distinction of having the smallest heel, by far, of any shoe I’ve ever featured on this here blog. In fact, they’re a good 3+ inches shorter than the average shoe on my wish list, but I’m coveting them no less.
Though I can be the girliest of girls when it comes to styling myself, even I can recognize a must-have menswear inspired shoe when I see one. The ‘Guything’ certainly qualifies. The combination of tassels, lush velvet body and contrasting perforated leather tip is utterly irresistible, even to a stiletto addict like me.
Sometimes a good ol’ platform heel just won’t do the trick (blasphemy, I know!) and a polished loafer is exactly what’s needed to complete an outfit. Stuart Weitzman’s latest take would be the perfect shoe to play that role this Fall.
Available at StuartWeitzman.com for $335.
xx, S
Image Credit: Stuart Weitzman
by The Backseat Stylers | October 23rd, 2011 
George Antonopoulos and me
You know that feeling of loving a new purchase so much that you want to wear it right away? I didn’t get that with my leather dress from the OBJECT for Danier line by George Antonopoulos. In fact, I adored it so much that I wanted to save its first outing for a special occasion of sorts, rather than just any ol’ day.
After sitting patiently in my closet for a month and a half, my new leather frock finally got its inaugural call to duty for none other than the opening night of this season’s LG Fashion Week. With the Spring 2012 collection from Arthur Mendonça, for whom Antonopoulos serves as Fashion Director, on the agenda, I thought it the perfect opportunity to take the dress out for a spin.
The Alexander McQueen winged booties I paired my OBJECT dress with were also a piece that had a delayed debut after I purchased them last winter. Do you save particularly beloved new purchases for special occasions too?
OBJECT for Danier leather dress / Biko Jewellery necklace / Alexander McQueen boots / Balenciaga bag
xx, S
Photo Credit: Jessica Chiu
by The Backseat Stylers | October 18th, 2011 
I adore peter pan collars. They’re a whimsical touch to any blouse or dress, and I always find myself drawn to pieces with them. Sure, they’re on the cutesy side, but I’m not a stranger to the girly outfits. For those who are, however, Louis Vuitton has taken the peter pan collar and kicked it up several notches on the fierce scale this season. How? By transforming it into a to-die-for metal collar necklace.
The verdict? Need, want, have to have.
xx, S
Image via tooklookbook
by The Backseat Stylers | October 16th, 2011 
It was only a few weeks ago that I declared this Balenciaga ankle cuff pump to be The One (for this Fall, anyway). I’m a fickle one, though, and it didn’t take long for my eyes to wander. And wander, they did, right over to the Loeffler Randall site where I stumbled across the “Natane” lace-up stilettos in the most luscious midnight navy velvet.
I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect dinner jacket in this very same fabric and colour combination, but with little luck on that front I’m very happy to settle on this very sexy pair of shoes instead. With its luxe-looking materials yet unfussy design, I can see the Natanes becoming my go-to, day-to-night shoe this Fall.
Available at LoefferRandall.com and Saks.com for $595.
xx, S
Photo Credit: LoefferRandall.com
by The Backseat Stylers | October 14th, 2011 
Me with Richard Lambertson and John Truex
There have been moments recently where I’ve felt the need to pinch myself to make sure I wasn’t dreaming (see, for example, this and this), and such was definitely the case when an invitation arrived for a Breakfast at Tiffany. Say what? Quite literally, I was being summoned to the Tiffany & Co. Toronto flagship for lobster scrambled eggs and OJ with the designers of the Tiffany Leather Collection, Richard Lambertson and John Truex. Rather surreal, wouldn’t you say?
So one morning earlier this week, I arrived at the doorstep of Tiffany’s Yorkville boutique bright and early for my big Audrey Hepburn-inspired moment. And it didn’t disappoint. I, along with the usual media crowd, was greeted by the charming duo of Lambertson and Truex, and a carefully curated selection from Tiffany’s Fall 2011 leather accessories collection.
In addition to the expected, but no less lovely, selection of evening clutches, there was also plenty of options for those on the hunt for a new day bag. From suede totes and Italian leather satchels for the women, to sleek calf leather briefcases and smart-looking leather messenger bags for the men, Tiffany, a luxury chain that’s traditionally known for its jewelry, is making a serious play for a piece of the handbag market it seems.
For a recovering bagaholic like myself, the impressive range of both classic and trendy pieces for women – all lined in Tiffany blue leather, of course – is tempting to say the least. The standouts of the Fall collection were the Savoy, a black satin fold-over framed clutch, and the Easton messenger bag in navy Italian leather, both priced at US$995. Check out the full Fall 2011 Tiffany Leather Collection here. A Tiffany bag or two might just make it on your holiday wish list.
    
On me: Erdem blouse / VAWK skirt / Chanel bag / Valentino shoes
xx, S
by The Backseat Stylers | October 12th, 2011 
Back in August, Macy’s announced that their next designer collaboration would be with Italian couturier Giambattista Valli, and I’ve been waiting patiently ever since for a first look at the designs. Macy’s finally hosted a preview of the 17-piece collection yesterday in New York, and released the complete lookbook and ad campaign as well.
Valli’s bread and butter is party dresses, and for Impulse at Macy’s they come adorned with bows, petals and ruffles, with some leopard print thrown in for good measure, too. “This capsule reflects my enduring loves, but is really a celebration of my biggest inspiration of all ‐ the energy and vitality of women themselves,” Valli said. “I love dressing them for all their happiest moments, making them feel as special as possible. This collection is a passport into my world and a chance to experience the passion and romance of my house and Paris itself.”
The collection is set to bow on October 26 in 225 Macy’s stores across the US, as well as online at macys.com/impulse. I’ve got my eye on that lovely red printed maxi dress with the oversized bow! It’ll be perfect for the holiday season. What’s on your wish list?
 
xx, S
Images via Fashionista
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THE BACKSEAT STYLERS BY T & S
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