Graffiti Galore

The Grand Mademoiselle was struck by a very distant memory of her first love upon finding these high-tops from J. Shoes. Dubbed the "Starr", these sneakers, with their black laces and velcro ankle straps evoke powerful images of restless high school nights spent prowling about the darkened city streets in search of the perfect spot to spray paint names, drawings, and oh-so-artsy icons or etchings. With a trunk full of Krylon cans in every color of the rainbow and a deliciously devilish spirit, the Grand M would dutifully follow her lover as he inked his name on deserted highway overpasses, crumbling stone bridges spanning bubbling streams, fading street signs, and empty bus stops, lonely and cold at that hour of the night. While the Grand M herself was certainly no graffitist, she accompanied some of the best and was introduced to an entire world of fashion that is married to the art. The underground allure of graffiti is firmly entrenched in footwear, and high-tops are so coveted by this group of urban cowboys that no price is too high. The Grand M remembers a particularly secretive foray into the back alleys of NoHo to find the perfect pair of shoes with her first love; after an hour of searching for a non-existent address, a suggestive and well-placed knock to a poster-plastered wall coupled with the utterance of a secret word gained entrance to a realm of fashion fetish previously unknown to yours truly. Gleaming oak-paneled walls revealed tastefully lit cubbyholes displaying every high-top known to man, each pair afforded its own shrine in what amounted to a dazzling art gallery of objets trouves. These weren't just shoes, this was art and style blended in a unique visionary blur of underground efforts and unlawful deeds. You don't have to be a graffitist to pull off this edgy look, and even Grand M's can look like fantastically fashionable taggers with the proper ensemble. Wear your Starr's with a great pair of grey-washed skinny jeans, like the Oslo Slim Leg by MiH. The dull color will blend in perfectly with the mood of a night spent writing illicitly in public places and the skinny cut is well-suited to the high-top attitude. Speaking of attitude, you can't be a successful graffiti artist's accomplice without an over the top and ridiculously sinful leather jacket. Don Fendi's black Nappa Leather Jacket with its classic bomber-style and experience the ultimate luxury that underground art has to offer. The mandarin collar, ruched shoulder panels, frilled trim, and elegant cut add deliciously feminine touches to an otherwise masculine and dated look. There's nothing dated about this jacket, and it's just sleek enough to make you want to splash paint on highway sound barrier walls. And why not? It is art after all, and the unknown talent that lurks just beneath the everyday traffic transmits a profoundly sensual and deviantly poignant aura to the graffitist, so dedicated to his work that he toils diligently into the night while knowing that the morning will bring the white paint of city crews to roll over his efforts with a careless swipe. Of course, you'll need something to lug your cans of paint around in, and the Grand M has found the ideal solution with a magical tote by Yves Saint Laurent. The Raspail Cascade-Print tote epitomizes the offbeat art produced by a night of painting, made of sturdy canvas evoking an artist's slate and touched by red leather piping and a striking pattern, as if the tote itself was caught in the line of fire. When put together, each element conjures the forcefully unconventional but often imitated look of graffiti chic. The art itself is no longer original, nor is the accompanying style, but the spirit is as original as ever, living and breathing in the individual who cares enough about the thought behind the pull of this illegal art to see it through to production. There is something undeniably and uniquely satisfying about spraying paint in a sublime and personal pattern on a slab of dirty city concrete. Think of the timeless work of prominent graffitist Barry McGee, a.k.a. "Twist", whose quirky creations found their way off the streets and into the galleries. McGee's work is a perfect example of the unbounded creativity and wildly off-kilter spirit that makes graffiti so captivating. It can be ugly, even vulgar, and it tends to carry rude, reckless connotations, but it has a style after all, one that is impossible to overlook and which, at least for the Grand M, carries with it lovely high school memories of grand times in dark places. When all other lights went out, the graffitist emerged and gave the Grand M thrills that she will never forget, especially not if fashion continues to remind her...

Naval Salute

The Grand Mademoiselle fully supports all the boys in blue, and although she could never be a Naval Officer (too many rules), the color scheme is undeniably, fabulously harmonious and nationalistic. Inspired by old footage of the then Princess Elizabeth touring South Africa via naval ship, navy and white have never seemed so chic, and the key is to pair these incomparably compatible colors in simple, unexpected ways, with sexy silhouettes and feminine flourishes. As an ode to Elizabeth, remember her faithful trip on the high seas, the world anticipating her joyous return to the love of her life. Surrounded by Navy shipmen in cute as hell uniforms, Elizabeth blended in perfectly with her navy and white pin-striped A-line smock dress and perfectly coiffed hair. Take a cue from our gal and opt for your own interpretation of smart Naval dressing, without the rigidity of a staunchly pressed pair of white slacks (and minus the gold buttons and medals, it's not a costume after all). You don't actually want to look like you're in the Navy, you just want to emulate the spirit and capture the glory of a tried and true color combination. Build your ensemble around Nanette Lepore's gorgeous Ruched Pencil Skirt, in navy cotton with a high waist and ruched side panels with a demure below the knee length. This is the perfect skirt to start with, and just imagine yourself waving to your Naval lover as he boards the U.S.S. Whatever bound for God knows where! Break a champagne bottle on the hull of a grand ship while wearing your Nanette skirt with a Robert Rodriguez Ruffled Top, with its sensual tie-waist, cut-in shoulders, and ruffled collar and bib made of pure silk. Can you really say Naval chic any other way? The top epitomizes the easy, breezy atmosphere of a day at sea, and while you certainly won't be scrubbing any decks, you're bound to catch a sailor's eye. Carry Lanvin's Patent Kentucky Tote in Marine Blue, with its simple, clean lines and eye-popping navy patent sheen. The rolled leather handles and slightly masculine details add to the overall feeling of the look and contribute to a rustic, salty, Naval ensemble without the effort and commitment. It's big enough to carry all the goodies your Naval honey brings back to you from exotic locales; an African mask, a grass skirt, herbs from Morocco, a diamond ring perhaps? To make the look complete, wear a timeless and elegant flat. It would be unseemly to tie knots or run across a wet deck in heels. Nothing fits the bill better than Delman's Wimbley, with its quilted glove leather upper, patent leather toe cap and grosgrain bow detail. The flat comes in both navy and white, so pick whichever one suits your fancy and get ready to run down the pier to bid adieu to your beloved. My advice: stay away from gloves or a hat. You aren't actually Elizabeth and you certainly don't want to be forcibly enlisted for looking so chic...

The Easy Weekender

With all the holiday hullabaloo coming to a close, the Grand Mademoiselle is itching to get away for a weekend in the woods. Nothing sounds nicer than a small cabin by a lake, surrounded by tall pines that sing a creaky, squeaky lullaby late at night as the icy winds blow through their boughs. The Grand M is dreaming of Thoreau's retreat and the quiet of a forest floor coated in damp needles and soggy cones. Of course, the Grand M's adventures call for a comfortable and warm ensemble, composed of soft and easy fabrics that beg for cozy afternoons spent in solitude with a pot of tea brewing on the stove and a leather bound journal open upon a brittle wooden desk. Diane Von Furstenberg's elegant and simple Remy cardigan is the perfect woolly sweater to carry you through a chilly night. In a creamy waffle knit with cable knit trim, funnel neck, raglan sleeves, and charming brown buttons, this is how the Grand M does the woods. Slip it on and you can almost hear the hoots of a great horned owl echoing through the trees... A pair of chic and woodsy shoes like French Sole's Flamenco flats fully compliment the mood of a chilly and poetic New England retreat. The black and white wool tartan upper with dainty bow detail on the vamp evokes images of a day spent curled along the banks of a silvery lake, sketching a swan against the waning sunlight. Tote your plaid wool throw and papers in MARC by Marc Jacob's Pretty Nylon Tate tote, large enough to carry all your essentials and economically reasonable as well as functionally relevant, fashioned of durable and forgiving quilted nylon. Thus fortified against the elements, relax among the tangled thickets and dying downy cattails to write a gentle and reflective poem. All you need to complete the look is a rich imagination and a place to let it run wild.

Safari Sophisticate

You needn't go to Africa to embark on a safari. As any city-dweller will tell you, it's a jungle out there; a frustratingly impenetrable system rife with complexities that continually thwart successful navigation. While you may not encounter a cheetah, perilous scaffolding, speeding taxis, and job interviews present equally deadly situations for the Grand Mademoiselle. It's no wonder that safari attire and animal prints have found their way into the urban fashion framework. Although dressing like Panama Jack is not exactly chic, there are ways to add a dash of the jungle to any ensemble without looking out of place. The key is to stick with a neutral color palette and don animal prints sparingly. However, the Grand Mademoiselle has a bit of advice that runs contrary to some fashion gurus. Most style experts tend to argue that animal prints or bold pieces should be used to add glamour to otherwise tame separates. Although the Grand M agrees that too much of anything is bad (well…), the components of an outfit should all have a voice of their own. For example, wear a gorgeous pair of Corso Como Fara flats, fashioned of leopard print pony hair with a tiny leather buckle. To put the safari look together, pick a subtle khaki colored pant and a white cotton shirt to offset the boldness of the Fara flat. Granted, a little safari goes a long way. However, don't think that you must resign yourself to a boring pair of chinos and a plain button-down. The best way to make this look work is to mix the overall safari theme with a fashion-forward flair that pays painfully meticulous attention to modern cuts, shapes, and fits. Wear a pair of wide-leg, high-waisted khaki trousers, like Chloe's Loose Fit pleated front pants, which are far from your everyday khaki's. Combined with Helmut Lang's Asymetric fastening white shirt, with its off-kilter mandolin collar and delightfully draped front, the look is chic and fresh, and the quirky cuts and stylized silhouettes shift the focus from the animal print to the entire ensemble. Add a sinfully supple and simple leather tote, like Lauren Merkin's Emma, made of washed lambskin in an offbeat mustard yellow. Follow the entire look up with a knockout ring made of some outlandishly natural substance...designer Stephen Dweck immediately comes to mind. The Grand M is coveting Dweck's Carved Tiger's Eye ring with its luscious flower motif and textured bronze setting. Throughout the look, each piece is a wonder on its own, which is the key to pulling off any themed ensemble. Certainly, be wary of piling the gesture on too thick, but don't forget that the beauty is in the details, and although the theme is safari, the mood is impeccably refined, effortlessly lazy, and remarkably simple yet seriously luxurious. Find both pants and shirt at www.net-a-porter.com, Dweck's lovely jewelry at www.bergdorfgoodman.com, and both bag and flats at www.barefoottess.com. Don't forget to use the code GRANDM at Barefoot Tess to get 15% off your total!

The Boudoir Aficionada

A woman's private bedroom is more than just a place to lay one's head. The word "bedroom" hardly captures the glamorous spirit and iconic image of this unmistakably fashionable locale. The Grand Mademoiselle prefers to think of the bedroom as the boudoir, that sacred space to which she can retreat from the world and indulge in girlish fantasies or spend hours preparing herself with lotions and potions for a night on the town. The boudoir is 1920's Paris, replete with lavish pink silks, faintly musty and extravagantly over-sized powder puffs, mauve caked rouge, delicate stockings, and the heady musk of amber and orchid. In truth, the Grand M's boudoir looks nothing like this, but the image is intoxicating and translates perfectly to a demure yet coquettish fashion outlook. How does one set the boudoir mood? Three essential pieces comprise the cornerstone of the boudoir atmosphere: A monogrammed pink silk robe, the perfect fragrance, and a pair of elegant and irreverently artistic ballet flats. When in search of the perfect piece of lingerie, look no further than Agent Provocateur, the ultimate boudoir designer and the Grand M's personal favorite. The understated yet brashly feminine tone of Agent's creations are sure to satisfy your fantasy. In setting the perfect tone, pick Agent Provocateur's own Dressing Gown in classic pink silk with black piping details and a gorgeous monogram on the sash. As you leisurely adorn yourself in front of a lavishly ornamental mirror, take the time to dab a drop of Badgley Mischka's Fleurs De Nuit behind each ear and knee. This gorgeous blend of silky woods, amber, peach, jasmine, and lily is described as glamorous, vintage, and elegant, which epitomizes the essence of the boudoir. To complete your preparation for an evening out in a boudoir mood, don Barefoot Tess's Dublin flat. Not a slipper, this romantic ballet is fashioned from an edgy metallic brocade fabric that twists gracefully across the toes, leaving just a tiny peek of your undoubtedly manicured tootsies. With these pieces, you'll never want to leave the comfort of your own boudoir. Just remember: the boudoir is a place to indulge yourself and to be alone...even while you imagine the man you're going out to meet.