Coming Up Roses

Even though winter still holds us in its icy grip, the Grand Mademoiselle is endlessly daydreaming about spring. Some day soon, the frosts will fail to cover the ground, buds will begin to sprout anew from bare tree limbs, and the air will carry that gloriously fresh scent of moss and soil. It is the newness of the spring season that the Grand M finds so refreshing, and she is growing increasingly tired of her dreary winter wardrobe.

To celebrate the impending spring, look for crisp colors, simple lines, pastel accessories, and the alluring shape of a blooming rose. Always a girly-girl, the Grand M is simply thrilled to find pieces in pastel pink, retaining an edge while conveying an undeniably feminine message through soft fabrics, luxurious leathers, gentle colors, and flowery accents. To kick off the spring season, start with a pair of sandals from Chie Mihara’s new collection. The 'Henna' is simply irresistible with a chic over-sized flower adorning the ankle and an easy, breezy thong toe. Made of sumptuous white leather with an adorable heel buckle, these sandals epitomize the optimism and youthful carelessness of spring, when days are spent lounging beneath flowering trees, idly picking the petals from daffodils. Choose a neutral color palette to pull the look together by mixing white, yellow, pink, green, and lavender in surprising ways. You don't want to look like you're hunting for Easter eggs, but you do want the world to know that spring has definitely sprung.
To offset the bold flower detail of the 'Henna' sandal, opt for a simple sheath made punchy by slightly irreverent appliques and embroidery. The Floret bustier dress by Chloe is perfect for this new spring fever, and the simple shape, boned bust, and unexpected pockets really make this piece sing. The colors are rather bold, but the 1970's vibe of the flower detailing couldn't be a more perfect way to capture the spritely spirit of spring.Of course, the ensemble wouldn't be complete without a spring statement bag, and the Grand M's personal favorite is the Blossom Satchel by Valentino. The gold snake skin handles add just a touch of hard whimsy to the dreamy pleated leather bloom bursting forth from the center of the bag, and the demure pink hue is just right. There's nothing silly about this bag and it proves that one can leave the house dripping in flowers without looking like a dress-up doll or a Hello Kitty castoff. Valentino means business with this bag and it is the perfect accessory to tote along as you merrily skip your way into the warm breezes of the impending spring season.